Punjab Government Announces Major Public Transport Expansion
The Punjab government has unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly improve public transportation across the state. Officials confirmed on Monday that they will add 1,279 new buses to the existing fleet through a combination of direct purchases and the kilometre scheme.
Enhanced Safety Features for Night Travel
All new buses will come equipped with advanced safety systems specifically designed to protect women passengers traveling after dark. These include comprehensive fire detection systems, clear emergency signage, GPS tracking devices, CCTV surveillance cameras, energy-efficient LED lighting, and specially designed night lamps.
The spokesperson emphasized that these features represent a deliberate effort to embed safety considerations directly into the transportation infrastructure.
Current Fleet and Distribution Plans
Punjab currently operates 2,267 buses across its transportation network. Of these, 1,119 buses fall under the management of Punjab State Bus Stand Management Company Limited, commonly known as PUNBUS.
The expansion will see 670 new buses strengthening the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), while 602 additional vehicles will join the PUNBUS fleet. This balanced distribution aims to ensure both transport undertakings can improve service frequency, reliability, and route coverage throughout Punjab.
Improved Accessibility and Comfort Standards
All newly procured ordinary buses will meet the stringent AIS-153 requirements, bringing enhanced safety and accessibility features to passengers. The improvements include better boarding facilities for passengers with reduced mobility, wheelchair-friendly access points, and reduced noise, vibration, and harshness levels.
According to the official spokesperson, these upgrades reflect a clear shift toward providing greater comfort and dignity for both passengers and drivers.
Staggered Implementation Timeline
The fleet induction process will begin in March and proceed in a carefully staggered manner. This approach allows for smooth operational integration without disrupting existing transportation services that thousands of Punjab residents rely on daily.
Kilometre Scheme Additions
Under the kilometre scheme, PUNBUS will significantly expand its offerings with additional Volvo buses, 100 HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) vehicles, and 100 ordinary buses. This expansion will bring PUNBUS's total fleet strength to an impressive 1,721 vehicles.
The HVAC buses will comply with Bharat Stage VI emission norms, ensuring reduced environmental impact and better public health outcomes through cleaner operations.
PRTC will also benefit from the kilometre scheme, adding 254 ordinary buses and 14 integral coach buses alongside its purchase-based additions.
Purchase Strategy and Vehicle Types
Of the total 1,279 new buses, 796 will be purchased directly by the state government, while 483 will be inducted under the flexible kilometre scheme. This combination allows the transport department to respond dynamically to changing demand patterns and specific route requirements.
The state government will procure 696 ordinary buses and 100 midi buses through direct purchases. PUNBUS will receive 387 of the ordinary buses, while PRTC will be strengthened with 309 vehicles.
The addition of 100 midi buses represents a strategic move to serve intra-city movement and rural routes where larger buses prove impractical. The spokesperson noted that this approach directly addresses long-standing connectivity gaps in smaller towns and villages that have historically remained underserved by public transportation.
