The BRTS bidding process gathered momentum with the Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited (AJL) opening quotations from five parties, that were interested in the operations and maintenance of BRTS services.A technical committee would be analysing the quotations before finalizing on the operator soon.In a pre-bid meeting organised by AJL on May 31 there were at least 21 parties this reduced to five this time. The bidding process was postponed at least once since April 29, when fresh tenders were called for by AJL. AMC sources say that the bidding process would be very competitive this time as both Tata and Ashok Leyland have provided their rates to the five operators for buses of various floor heights. AJL has called for Euro-3 diesel and CNG buses. After having called for 50 buses, 25 AC and 25 non-AC buses, AJL expects bus prices to be Rs 35 lakh for AC buses and between Rs 25-29 lakh for non-AC buses. AJL would not compromise on the quality of services this time and want operators to provide services equivalent to that of Bagota (Columbia) BRTS services. For instance the penalty clauses were stringent, AJL wanted that the operator deposit Rs 1 crore as guarantee and another clause said that if BRTS bus fleet did not meet the required standards the buses would be moved to the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) fleet. Of the 21 parties many resolved to come in the second phase of bus purchases after the first phase kicks off.One of the blessing in disguise has been that the annual maintenance contract for the operators has been brought down from 10 years to seven years, which would prove beneficial for the operators. Even the floor heights that made inroads this time include 390 millimetre(mm), 650mm and 850mm.
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