Bhopal is set to deploy electric buses on city roads starting next month, aligning with metro routes to provide greener, safer, and more efficient public transportation. The first batch of 40 e-buses will cover an average stretch of 40 kilometers across approximately 10 new routes. In total, 26 new routes are planned to enhance connectivity within and around the city.
Fare Reduction and Tax Reforms
Commuters can expect an immediate reduction in fares for e-bus, CNG, and diesel services. Following the transfer of Bhopal City Link Limited (BCLL) to Madhya Pradesh Yatayat Pvt. Ltd. (MPYPIL), the additional road tax for buses crossing municipal limits has been removed. This change lowers the operator's costs, leading to a roughly 20% drop in fares. Students, weekly commuters, and workers will benefit directly from this reduction.
Currently, passengers traveling to Neelbad do not pay extra cess, but fares increase significantly once the bus crosses into Ratibah or Sehore. With the new tax structure, these disparities are expected to diminish.
Infrastructure and Fleet Expansion
BCLL currently operates around 60 buses in the city, far below its core fleet target of nearly 400. The addition of 40 electric buses within weeks will increase the total count to about 100. E-bus infrastructure is largely ready: depots are set up, high-tension and low-tension power connections are in place, and 90% of civil work is complete, according to BCLL sources. “The e-bus operator must set up charging stations, but we are ready to go,” said an official at Bairagarh depot, requesting anonymity.
First Phase: 10 Routes of 26
The longest new e-bus route will run from Sehore to Ratapani, passing through Bariyargh, Collectorate, New Market, Vallabh Bhawan, MP Nagar, Chuna, and Batti. The metro-linked network aims to connect peripheral educational institutes to city centers, offering a cleaner, quieter ride and more reliable timing.
BCLL Expands Beyond Bhopal
BCLL has been transferred to MPYPIL, with the BCLL CEO becoming Executive Director while continuing to manage Bhopal district operations. Under MPYPIL, city-bus services will expand to Sehore, Raisen, Vidisha, and Rajgarh districts, and increase coverage in Betul, Harda, and Hoshangabad. Officials say the move aims to improve route integration, reliability, and last-mile connectivity for daily commuters. BCLL was originally established as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation.
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