Mangaluru: As the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) gears up to introduce 100 electric buses across Dakshina Kannada, private bus operators in Mangaluru are stepping up their game with their own green mobility push, setting the stage for a new era of eco-friendly public transport in the coastal city.

In a significant development, a privately operated electric bus is set to be deployed on Route No. 27, originating from Mangaladevi Temple, within the coming week. The move signals growing interest among private operators to transition from conventional diesel fleets to sustainable electric alternatives.

According to bus owner Dilraj Alva, the new electric bus is expected to arrive within a few days and is scheduled to begin operations on February 26. He described the initiative as a conscious step towards promoting environmental sustainability and reducing carbon emissions in urban transport.

Alva, a former president of the Dakshina Kannada District Bus Owners’ Association, said the initial charging needs of the vehicle will be met through existing charging infrastructure in the city. He also hinted at broader plans to expand the adoption of electric buses through a collective investment model involving multiple operators.

Emphasising environmental responsibility over immediate financial returns, Alva noted that cost-effectiveness has not been his primary concern at this stage. Instead, the focus remains on contributing to cleaner air and carbon neutrality in Mangaluru.

To further accelerate the shift towards green transport, a group of five bus operators has come together to form a company, Charge Mobility Private Limited, which aims to explore large-scale introduction of eco-friendly vehicles in the future.

Meanwhile, the KSRTC Mangaluru division is actively preparing operational roadmaps for the rollout of 100 electric buses sanctioned under the PM-eBus Sewa scheme, indicating that both public and private sectors are now moving in parallel towards electrifying the region’s public transport network.