Noida's electric bus service is set to begin operations on June 15, the same day the first commercial flights take off from Noida International Airport. The announcement came during a review meeting by the Noida Authority and UPSRTC on Wednesday.
Chief Minister's Directives
In a separate meeting in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to ensure adequate bus availability in the first phase for airport connectivity. He emphasized that the public transport system must be fully strengthened before flight operations commence. Bus numbers will be increased as ridership and demand grow.
Routes and Fares
The bus service will connect Noida to areas around Greater Noida and Greater Noida West, with a maximum fare of Rs 30. A fleet of 100 buses, including 10 double-deckers, will cover 200 kilometers daily across five routes. All routes will originate at Botanical Garden, with destinations including Gaur Chowk, Ek Murti, Noida International Airport, Sector 62, Surajpur Collectorate, and Anand Vihar or Ghaziabad.
While specific fares are yet to be announced, an official confirmed that the maximum fare on any route will not exceed Rs 30. A trial run will commence a week before the official launch.
Operations and Staffing
UPSRTC will operate the buses, while the Noida Authority will cover viability gap funding. The hiring process for 300 drivers and conductors has begun. Initially, the Authority planned 50 buses, but the number has been doubled to 100.
Passengers can purchase tickets via a mobile app or manually. E-rickshaws will be banned on routes where e-buses operate, according to a Noida Authority official.
Currently, Noida has about 4,548 buses, mostly serving private company employees. Residents rely on 19,800 cabs, 17,892 autorickshaws, and 26,997 e-rickshaws for daily commuting and last-mile connectivity.
Depot and Charging Infrastructure
The Authority is developing a depot in Sector 90 for parking and charging the buses. Facilities will include e-charging points, bus service stations, and workshops for drivers and conductors.
Double-Decker Buses
UPSRTC has also partnered with private firm Switch Mobility to introduce eight double-decker air-conditioned buses in Noida. UPSRTC will manage operations, while Switch Mobility handles maintenance. These buses are stationed at the Morna depot in Sector 35. Rohitash Kumar, assistant regional manager of UPSRTC, stated that a charging station is ready at Morna Depot. Once remaining formalities, including bus registration, are completed, these double-decker buses will start plying Noida roads within two to three weeks.
Previous Attempts
This is not the first attempt to introduce a structured city bus service in Noida. In 2016, the NMRC launched a feeder bus service across 11 routes in Noida, Greater Noida, and Noida Extension. However, the service was suspended after the coronavirus outbreak in March 2020 and formally terminated in December of that year. Low ridership led to losses, affecting the service's viability.
