Tatas supply 12 Starbuses to DTC
The Economic Times — November 8, 2007

Tata Motors, which plans to emerge one of the largest bus makers in the world, has delivered its first batch of 12 high-tech, low-floor modern buses to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).

These buses, called Starbus, are the first edition of 500 low-floor and 25 air-conditioned buses, which will be supplied by the company in next one year. Tata Motors has manufactured these buses with its joint-venture partner, Marcopolo of Brazil. It is also in the race to supply 4,000 additional buses, which will hit Delhi roads before the Common Wealth Games in 2010.

The new fleet will run between Saket in south Delhi and Shivaji Stadium in Connaught Place. The fare will remain unchanged. Besides, Tata Motors has also imparted special training to the Delhi Transport Corporation drivers and will also carry out regular maintenance of these buses.

These 32-seater buses have features like automated ticketing vending machines, smart card usage, in-built speed governor to restrict speed to 40 kmph, pneumatically controlled doors to be controlled by the driver and wheelchair capability for the physically challenged.

"The buses have CNG gas leakage detection alarm system, full air suspension, automatic transmission, anti-skid and anti-lock brake system and steel radial tubeless tyre system. We have brought state-of-the-art technology in these buses, which will also be introduced in Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore subsequently," said a senior executive of Tata Motors.