WRI India announces winners of "Better Bus Challenge"

: World Resources Institute (WRI) India Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, with support from FedEx Express, today announced the three winners of the "Better Bus Challenge", an open innovation contest to bring innovative solutions in the public bus system in the country.

In its debut year, the "Better Bus Challenge" received an overwhelming response from bus manufacturers, electric vehicle manufacturers, technology and service providers, mobility entrepreneurs and non-government organisations, a release said.

The winners selected by a panel of judges are Cell Propulsion, Cityflo and Small Spark Concepts, the release by WRI India Ross Center and FedEx Express said.

WRI India, Director, Madhav Pai, said the entries demonstrate the potential of a platform that brings innovators and transit agencies together, to identify and develop solutions to modernise the city bus services.

The winning companies will work closely with the transit agencies to contextualise the solutions to the specific needs of their pilot cities and demonstrate the impact of their solutions on improving the efficiency, access and quality of commute for all, he said.

The winning solutions address three main areas of intervention including tools and service models to improve operational efficiency, improve commuter experience, and systems to support the transition to electric buses.

Each winner will receive a financial grant of USD 50,000 to demonstrate their projects in the identified Indian city, the release added.