Patna: Bus drivers and conductors in Patna will soon have access to low-cost accommodation at the Patliputra Interstate Bus Terminal, as a newly built dormitory at the Bairia complex is set to open in March, according to officials from the state transport department.
The facility, located at the interstate bus terminal on the eastern edge of the city, is intended to provide affordable rest for transport workers who often spend long hours on the road. Authorities said the move is aimed at improving driver welfare while also strengthening road safety by reducing fatigue among long-distance drivers.
Under the proposed tariff structure, drivers and conductors will be able to stay for 12 hours at a cost of Rs 50, or for 24 hours at Rs 100. Officials said this would offer a practical alternative to sleeping inside buses or seeking private accommodation, which can be prohibitively expensive for many.
The dormitory has the capacity to house between 50 and 60 people at a time. It is equipped with basic amenities including clean bedding, toilets, bathrooms, drinking water and a kitchen area. Weather-appropriate arrangements have also been incorporated, the department said.
Drivers welcomed the development, describing it as a long-overdue measure. Ganesh Chaudhary, a bus driver operating from the terminal, said that while other facilities were available at the Bairia bus stand, there had been no proper rest arrangements for drivers. “The dormitory will fill a major gap,” he said.
Another driver, Rizwan Shah, said the option of 12 hours of rest for Rs 50 would make a tangible difference. “After a long day of duty, being able to rest comfortably at such a low cost is very helpful,” he said.
Transport officials said the facility forms part of broader efforts to upgrade infrastructure at major bus terminals and improve working conditions for frontline transport staff.
