Commuters in Patna will soon experience cleaner and more comfortable travel as 150 air-conditioned electric buses, including 50 pink buses designated for women, are expected to be introduced by July under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme. A transport department official confirmed that an additional 200 buses will be gradually deployed across the state, bringing the total count to 400.
Concession Agreement Signing
The rollout will formally commence with the signing of a 'concession agreement' between the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC), under the transport department, and GreenCell Mobility on Wednesday in Patna. Transport Minister Damodar Rawat will attend the event as the chief guest. Other dignitaries expected to be present include Transport Department Secretary Raj Kumar, State Transport Commissioner Arif Ahsan, and BSRTC Administrator Atul Kumar Verma.
Boosting Urban Public Transport
The transport secretary stated that the introduction of 400 AC electric buses under the scheme will provide a new impetus to urban public transport. Passengers will benefit from safe, comfortable, and modern travel, while the initiative will significantly contribute to reducing pollution and promoting green transportation.
BSRTC Administrator Atul Kumar Verma revealed that under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, Bihar has been allotted 400 AC electric buses, comprising 200 nine-metre buses and 200 12-metre buses. These buses will be deployed across six major cities: Patna will receive 150 buses, while Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Purnia will each get 50 buses.
Pink Buses for Women
Among these, 50 electric AC buses will operate as pink buses to provide safe and hassle-free public transport for women. The remaining 150 electric AC buses will be saffron-colored and will operate on various routes.
As part of the transition towards green mobility, the BSRTC is preparing to gradually phase out CNG buses from Patna.
Operational Routes
The buses will operate on 14 routes connecting key locations within Patna as well as important destinations in neighboring districts. These routes include:
- Kargil Chowk-Danapur Station
- Danapur Station-IGIMS
- Kargil Chowk-Koilwar
- Kargil Chowk-Patna Sahib Station
- Kargil Chowk-AIIMS
- Kargil Chowk-Phulwarisharif Bus Terminal
- Patna-Biharsharif
- Patna-Rajgir
- Patna-Muzaffarpur
- Patna-Paliganj
- Kargil Chowk-Bihta IIT
- Patna-Chhapra
- Patna-Hajipur
- Patna-Darbhanga
The Kargil Chowk-Danapur Station route will have the highest deployment with 30 buses.
Charging Infrastructure
Charging infrastructure will be developed in six cities to ensure smooth operation of the e-buses. Once fully charged, these buses can travel up to 180 kilometers.
