Medan, November 24^th, 2024 – PT Kalista Biru Nusantara, a subsidiary of KALISTA Group, a leading fleets-as-a-service company in Indonesia, has collaborated with Medan City Government to lead the transformation of the city’s public transportation through the launch of 60 electric buses on Sunday, November 24^th 2024 at Lapangan Merdeka, Medan.

The launching ceremony was inaugurated by Mayor of Medan, Bobby Nasution; Acting Regional Secretary of Medan City, Topan Ginting; Chairman of Medan City Council, Wong Chun Sen; Head of Medan Transportation Bureau, Iswar Lubis; President Director of KALISTA, Albert Aulia Ilyas; and President Director of Blue Bird, Adrianto Djokosoetono.

Strategic Steps for Sustainable Transportation

The presence of this electric bus is the result of a strategic collaboration between multiple parties as part of the #KolaborasiMedanBerkah framework, KALISTA, Medan City Government, Transportation Bureau of Medan City, and Blue Bird as the operator. This synergy to achieve net zero emissions aligns with KALISTA’s vision to support the Central Government’s program through Medan City Government to accelerate the adoption of environmentally friendly transportation.

Mayor of Medan, Bobby Nasution said, “These electric buses represent the Government’s commitment to establish a safe, comfortable, and sustainable mass transportation system in Medan. We hope the presence of these electric buses can encourage citizens to choose public transportation over private vehicles.”

Electric Bus Specifications

The 60 electric buses in operation are Higer Low Entry Buses, measuring 10.5 meters long and equipped with 303 kWh battery. Each unit can accommodate up to 52 passengers and offers a travel range of 265 km on single 1.5 hours of fast charging.

These electric buses were selected based on an in-depth survey by KALISTA, which assessed road conditions, potential obstacles, and infrastructure in Medan City. KALISTA conducted an 11-month trial involving seven brands and a variety of unit sizes and specifications to assess the performance and suitability of each model for the local area.

Infrastructure and Facility Support

Albert Aulia Ilyas, President Director of KALISTA, emphasized that, in preparation for the transition to electric buses, KALISTA has ensured that the necessary infrastructure and facilities are in place. “KALISTA has built 18 charging stations, with 180 kW capacity, supported by 4.3 KVA power from PLN. We have also established a workshop at the Blue Bird Pool on Jalan Panglima Denai, to facilitate regular monitoring and maintenance of the units,” he explained.

This fleet is equipped with various safety features including an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), driver monitoring system, emergency door sensors, fire extinguishers, emergency door buttons, glass breaker hammers, emergency exits, CCTV, seatbelts, 360 cameras, and onboard units (OBU). For passenger comfort and accessibility, the buses are equipped with 26 hand grips, a ramp for wheelchair access, priority seats, and USB charging ports.

Environmental Benefits and Cost Efficiency

The 11-month trial results indicated that carbon emissions decreased by 26% compared to diesel buses, while fuel costs were reduced by 71% with the adoption of electric buses.

The 60 electric buses will operate across five designated routes: Amplas – Pinang Baris, J. City – Plaza Medan Fair, Tuntungan – Lapangan Merdeka, Belawan – Lapangan Merdeka, and Tembung – Lapangan Merdeka.

The collaboration to transform public transportation to electric power with up to 60 fleets marks the first initiative in major Indonesian cities outside Jakarta. The joint effort between KALISTA and the Medan City Government aims to inspire other cities to adopt electric public transportation and support the national program to a more sustainable future.

KALISTA: A Quick Overview

PT Kalista Nusa Armada (KALISTA) is a fleets-as-a-service (FaaS) company that provides end-to-end solutions to make your business transition to EV more seamless. KALISTA is committed to facilitating the transition to commercial electric vehicles and fostering a sustainable mobility ecosystem. Through KALISTA, businesses can transition to electric vehicles with ease and convenience. For further information, visit www.kalista.co.id.