Patna: Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) is set to expand its fleet to more than 1,500 buses with the induction of 549 new vehicles, including electric buses under the Centre’s PM e-Bus Sewa scheme, in a major boost to public transport services across the state.According to BSRTC, around 200 of the 400 electric buses allotted to Bihar are expected to join the fleet by the end of Aug. The corporation will also induct 74 non-AC deluxe buses and 75 AC deluxe buses. With the new additions, the fleet strength will increase from around 960 buses to 1,526.Transport officials said the expansion is expected to improve both intra-state and interstate connectivity. Daily ridership, currently estimated at over one lakh passengers, is projected to cross two lakh after the new buses are deployed.The air-conditioned electric buses will primarily operate in the six divisional headquarters of Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and Purnia. Some of the buses will be operated as pink buses exclusively for women passengers. Each bus can travel up to 180 km on a single charge.Transport secretary Raj Kumar said the induction of electric buses would help reduce diesel consumption and carbon emissions while strengthening public transport services.He said the expanded fleet would improve connectivity in urban areas as well as rural and interstate routes. The development of modern bus terminals and charging infrastructure would further strengthen Bihar’s public transport network, he added.
