The Noida Authority, in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), will launch 50 electric buses next month. This initiative marks a renewed push to strengthen public transport and enhance last-mile connectivity in the region.
Route Details and Operations
The electric buses will operate on four routes originating from the Botanical Garden bus stand. They will terminate at Gaur Chowk and Ek Murti in Greater Noida West, Noida International Airport, Sector 62, and Surajpur Collectorate. UPSRTC will manage the daily operations, while the Noida Authority will cover the viability gap funding to ensure the service remains financially sustainable.
Addressing Traffic Congestion
This initiative aims to ease traffic congestion caused by the proliferation of smaller vehicles. Noida currently has over 12 lakh registered vehicles, including 7.1 lakh two-wheelers and 3.7 lakh private cars. There are also 4,548 buses, 19,800 cabs, 17,892 autorickshaws, and 26,997 e-rickshaws in the city. By introducing electric buses, the authorities hope to encourage more residents to use public transport, reducing the number of private vehicles on the road.
Infrastructure Development
A dedicated depot is being developed in Sector 90, featuring 20 charging stations, a service station, and facilities for drivers and conductors. Once charged, the buses will be deployed to the Botanical Garden bus stand. Additionally, four opportunity charging stations will be installed at the bus stand for en route top-ups, ensuring uninterrupted service throughout the day.
“The operation will be carried out by UPSRTC at its prescribed ticket fares. The viability gap funding will be borne by Noida Authority,” said CEO Krishna Karunesh.
Double-Decker Electric Buses
Separately, UPSRTC has partnered with Switch Mobility to introduce eight double-decker AC buses in Noida. These buses will be stationed at the Morna depot in Sector 35. Under this arrangement, UPSRTC will manage operations, while Switch Mobility will handle maintenance. Some charging infrastructure is already in place at Morna, and the double-decker buses are expected to begin operations next month as well.
“This will immensely help residents commuting,” said Rohitash Kumar, Assistant Regional Manager, UPSRTC Noida.
Previous Attempts and Lessons Learned
This is not Noida’s first attempt at a structured city bus service. In 2016, the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) launched a feeder service across 11 routes covering Noida, Greater Noida, and Greater Noida West. However, the service was suspended during the Covid-19 outbreak in March 2020 and formally shut down in December that year, citing low ridership and mounting losses. The new electric bus service aims to avoid similar pitfalls by focusing on high-demand routes and ensuring robust operational support.
