Patna: The Bihar State Road Transport Corporation is set to launch a new dedicated bus service for employees working in the New and Old Secretariat in Patna, marking one of the state’s most visible efforts to improve public transport for government staff. Beginning on May 18, the service will include both electric buses and special pink buses, aimed at making office travel more accessible while reducing the number of private vehicles on the roads. Officials say the move is intended not only to improve convenience but also to encourage a shift toward cleaner transport in Bihar’s capital.
The new service is being introduced at a time when Patna is facing increasing traffic pressure, especially during office hours, with thousands of government employees commuting daily to the secretariat by car and motorcycle. Transport secretary Raj Kumar said the buses would provide a dependable and timely alternative for workers, helping reduce fuel use and congestion around the administrative centre. He said the government hopes the service will encourage employees to move away from private transport and rely more on public systems, which remain underused for official commuting in the city.
Officials from the corporation said that the existing fleet of 25 electric buses already operating in Patna had shown strong public acceptance and would now be expanded to support this office transport plan. Atul Kumar Verma said a significant amount of petrol and diesel could be saved if even a portion of daily commuters switched from personal vehicles to the electric buses. The move is also expected to reduce commuting costs for employees, while contributing to the state’s larger goal of building a more energy-efficient transport system. Bihar has increasingly focused on electric mobility in recent years, and officials say this project reflects that wider policy direction.
The buses will connect several major residential and transport hubs directly to the secretariat, reducing the need for multiple changes or long road journeys. Services will begin from locations including Patna Junction’s Multi-Modal Hub, Danapur Station, Dhanuki Mor, Kurji and Gandhi Maidan, covering key routes through R-Block, Income Tax, Kankarbagh, Saguna Mor, Ashiana Nagar, Boring Road and Rajendra Nagar. Morning services will start from 8:15am to ensure employees can reach offices before work begins, while return buses will run in the evening. A dedicated pink bus departing at 5pm has also been introduced to support women employees, reflecting a growing focus on safer public transport options for female commuters in the city.
