Ambala: Haryana's energy, transport, and labour minister, Anil Vij, flagged off 10 electric air-conditioned buses in Ambala Cantonment on Saturday, making it the first city in the state to operate a fully electric AC local bus fleet.
Fully Electric Fleet
Addressing a gathering near the PWD Rest House, Vij stated that all 25 buses under the city service are now electric, providing cleaner and more comfortable public transport, particularly during the summer months. The local bus service, which had been suspended for nearly two decades, was revived on November 1, 2024, after Vij took charge of the transport department.
Service Performance
With the addition of the new buses, the fleet now operates 25 e-buses on 17 routes. Highlighting its performance, Vij noted that the service has generated nearly Rs 4 crore in revenue and carried approximately 22 lakh passengers since its relaunch. After the flag-off, the minister bought a ticket and traveled in one of the buses alongside commuters and party workers.
New Bus Terminals
Vij also announced new bus terminals at Pipli, Sonipat, and Gurugram under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The Gurugram facility will be integrated with a nearby metro station to ensure seamless connectivity through e-buses. The department is developing a real-time bus tracking system and mobile app to help commuters monitor bus locations, arrival times, and route deviations.
Hygiene and Labour Welfare
Steps are being taken to provide hygienic food at bus stands through a corporation on the lines of IRCTC, besides improving sanitation and removing encroachments. On labour welfare, Vij said the 'Shram Mitra' app will enable people to hire workers such as masons, plumbers, and AC mechanics, while helping registered labourers access regular work.
Among those present were SDM Kanika Goyal, Haryana City Bus Service Ltd additional CEO Ashok Bansal, GM Roadways Ashwini Dogra, RTA Sushil Kumar, Ambala Sadar MC chairperson Swaran Kaur, and other officials and local leaders.
