Nearly 4,000 overhauled buses will be introduced in the Tehran bus fleet in October, which is the busiest month for public transportation, mobility and traffic congestion, as “there is a 20-30% increase in commuters,” with schools reopening (September 23), said Peiman Sanandaji, director general of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company.
There are 200 new shuttle buses currently awaiting clearance at Bandar Abbas customs in Hormozgan Province. They will ply the 10 routes on the bus rapid transit (BRT) network, including 30 buses on the historic Valiasr Street, reports Mehr News Agency
Valiasr Street (19.3 km north to south), runs from Tehran’s railway station in the south of the city to Tajrish square in the north.
Referring to school bus services, Sanandaji said 120 buses and mini-buses will operate for schools and will have special inspection stickers. Ninety buses will be allocated to disabled and special needs schools.
Recent analysis shows that air pollutants and emissions declined by 46% since the launch of the BRT fleet; about 1.5 million liters of fuel was saved every day and private car trips had reduced by more than 27% thus helping reduce total emissions in the air including NOx, CO, SO2, particulate matter and hydrocarbons by 140 tons per year.
Sanandaji stressed the importance of improving the quality of the BRT fleet in terms of speedy services, accessibility and efficiency.
