Bihar to Get 400 New E-Buses by December, Transforming Public Transport

Patna: The Bihar government is set to revolutionize public transportation with the introduction of 400 new e-buses by the end of December 2024. This initiative is expected to significantly improve the daily commute for the 30,000 passengers who travel from the capital, Patna, to other cities in the state, as well as those commuting within the city. The new fleet of e-buses is part of the PM e-bus scheme aimed at promoting eco-friendly transport.

Of the 400 e-buses, Patna will receive 150, while the remaining 250 will be distributed among five major cities: Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, and Purnia, each getting 50 buses. These electric buses will be equipped with modern GPS tracking systems, allowing passengers’ families to track the bus in real-time. In addition, safety features such as danger alarms will also be installed.

The total cost of the project is estimated at ₹874.80 crore. In preparation for the new buses, the state is also building necessary infrastructure, including e-charging stations, bus depots, and bus stands in the six selected cities. An additional ₹8.82 crore will be spent on constructing e-charging stations, while ₹80 crore will be allocated for the development of bus depots.

The Bihar cabinet approved the plan to introduce 400 e-buses on December 5, 2023, as part of the state’s broader efforts to modernize its transport sector. The policy also includes scrapping 15-year-old government vehicles and constructing necessary infrastructure. In July 2024, the Bihar government released ₹72 crore to the State Transport Corporation to facilitate the purchase of the new buses.

According to Cabinet ACS Dr. S Siddharth, the project is also expected to generate employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly, for over 500 people in Bihar. Vacancies will be created for various roles, including positions at e-charging stations and other supporting facilities.

The original deadline for introducing the e-buses was August 2024, later extended to September, and finally pushed to December. According to the Bihar Transport Department, the delay is due to the incomplete tender process for vehicle procurement by the central government. However, the Bihar government has completed its part of the process and sent the proposal to the Centre for approval.

Abhay Jha, Administrator of the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC), confirmed that once the buses are provided by the central government, they will be deployed on the roads. He also highlighted that the state has already constructed several bus depots independently.

At present, Patna operates 27 e-buses, two of which are kept in reserve. Six buses run between Patna and Nalanda, and three each service the routes to Biharsharif and Rajgir, with all departing from the Gandhi Maidan government bus station.

However, the utilization of these buses remains low during off-peak hours due to high fares. For example, an e-bus ride from Patna airport to the station costs ₹100, compared to ₹50 for other vehicles. As a result, seats in the e-buses remain vacant for most of the day, except during peak hours.

Despite the fare concerns, passengers have expressed satisfaction with the e-bus services, praising the improved comfort and features. One commuter, Manoj, remarked, “Old buses used to make a lot of noise, and the seats were uncomfortable. Now, the situation has changed, and the ride feels much better.”