Brands
Cityflo launches Urban Glide to electrify India’s Rs 1 lakh crore bus sector under new transit model
MUMBAI: India’s creaky public bus system is getting a long-overdue upgrade—and this time, it’s private players taking the wheel. Cityflo’s parent company, Komorebi Tech Solutions, has launched a joint venture with Globus Trans Solutions LLP to operate electric buses under the state-run transit system. The JV, Urban Glide, hit the road on 12 May 2025, promising to shake up the Rs 1,00,000 crore public mobility opportunity.
Urban Glide plans to deploy 500 electric buses in its first year. The project brings together former Best honcho Victor Nagaonkar and public transport veteran Sunil Solanki—names long associated with operational scale and on-ground execution across India’s biggest transit networks.
India’s urban transit network is undergoing a seismic shift under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, which allows private operators to run state-owned electric buses while states control routes and fares. It’s a playbook borrowed from global models in Singapore and the UK, where companies like Comfortdelgro and Stagecoach run high-frequency, reliable services within public-private partnerships.
“We believe this will be one of urban India’s most consequential infrastructure transitions. The opportunity is not just operational but generational”, said Cityflo CEO Jerin Venad. “India is going to move over 200 million people a day on zero-emission, clean, well-run buses. Urban Glide is our commitment to building at the scale and standard that this moment demands.”
The new model solves several pain points—funding gaps, outdated fleets, inconsistent commuter experience—by opening the doors to private innovation and investment. And with over 200,000 electric buses being inducted across India under the GCC framework, players like Urban Glide are positioning themselves for scale.
Urban Glide will kickstart operations with 150 buses across Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with national expansion on the cards as more GCC contracts roll out. Its approach focuses on asset lifecycle control, professionalised driver operations, data-driven route optimisation, and embedded safety systems.
“We have seen this move in other sectors: regulation opens, capital flows in, and the incumbents are those who can build at scale. Public transport is now getting its Jio moment”, added Venad.
The ecosystem is further bolstered by long-term contracts, fare collection handled by the state, operating subsidies on EVs, and a Payment Security Mechanism already in motion—mitigating risk for serious operators.
Still, Venad acknowledges that the sector demands players with muscle—those ready to manage fleets of over 1,000 buses and commit to long-term, safety-first operations. With deep operational roots and capital alignment, Urban Glide appears ready to lead from the front.
Brands
KKR sixes to power EV charger rollout under VIDA campaign
Cricket meets clean mobility as big hits spark India’s charging growth
NEW DELHI: VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders to launch a campaign that turns cricketing flair into real-world impact.
Titled ‘6 for 6’, the initiative promises to install a 6kW fast EV charger for every six hit by KKR during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The idea is simple but powerful, as each big hit on the field contributes directly to expanding India’s fast-charging infrastructure.
The campaign builds on VIDA’s growing network, which already spans over 5,300 fast-charging points across more than 430 cities. With EV adoption gaining pace, the brand is using cricket’s mass appeal to accelerate both awareness and infrastructure growth.
Explaining the thinking behind the move, Hero MotoCorp emerging mobility business unit chief business officer Kausalya Nandakumar said, “Cricket has an incredible ability to unite and inspire millions across the country. With the ‘6 for 6’ campaign, we are turning every big hit on the field into a step towards a cleaner and a more accessible mobility future.”
She added that VIDA’s expanding fast-charging network and removable battery technology are designed to make EV ownership more convenient and practical for everyday users.
From the franchise’s side, the campaign is also about giving on-field moments a larger purpose. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore said, “The ‘6 for 6’ campaign exemplifies the potential of sport as a platform for meaningful, real-world impact. By linking every six to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, this partnership transforms fan excitement into tangible progress.”
As part of the rollout, VIDA has introduced co-branded charging stations in KKR’s signature colours, with a flagship installation unveiled alongside team players. The chargers are designed for quick top-ups, powering VIDA scooters from zero to 80 percent in about an hour, while also being positioned along key highways to support longer journeys.
The initiative also taps into VIDA’s removable battery system, which allows users to charge using standard household plug points, adding flexibility to the charging ecosystem.
By blending the thrill of cricket with the urgency of clean mobility, VIDA and KKR have found a neat way to make every six count twice, once on the scoreboard and again on India’s road to an electric future.
