SUPPORTING SCHOOL BUS OPERATORS

Daimler India is supporting its school bus customers to help them tide over the current crises.

- Deepti Thore

The school bus market in India is estimated to be 60000 units per annum and roughly accounts for 20 per cent of the global market. Against the backdrop of estimated three-lakh schools in the country, the school bus market has been growing for the last couple of years because of the strong government push for regularisation and standardization. Demand has been ranging from simple 10 or 15-seater elementary type of buses to low-floor, air-conditioned buses. Subject to the safety and security of children. School buses are governed by comprehensive safety guidelines and regulations, which include school bus design parameters, driver training, and monitoring programmes, and laws on student protection, all of which have made school buses the safest vehicles on road.

Look beyond school buses being the safest vehicles on roads, and the Covid induced lockdown put the brakes on school buses, starting June 2020. With the new school season failing to take off, the segment has witnessed some unprecedented challenges that threaten to weaken its health and stability. Against such a backdrop, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) is currently working on various measures to support its school customers. These include extended warranty and financial solutions. Hoping that schools will soon re-open even though in a phased manner, the company is working with its school bus customers to ensure they are able to sustain and find other avenues of income. Contributing around 40-50 per cent of the total volume since its market launch in 2016, BharatBenz school buses are said to ensure that its operators earn good profit by the virtue of their lower TCO. Expressed Karl-Alexander Seidel, CEO, and Head of Daimler Bus India, that the school bus transportation industry has been evolving in India.