Patna: The Bihar government has announced a special inter-state bus service to ease travel for migrants during the festive season, as long waiting lists continue to plague major train routes. The Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) will operate around 200 buses between February 23 and March 23, focusing on routes connecting Bihar with Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Officials said online ticket booking opened on February 5 to allow passengers to secure seats in advance. The move is aimed at migrant workers and families travelling home for Holi and Eid, when demand for transport typically spikes.
The government has also introduced subsidies to keep fares affordable. After the subsidy, an AC seater ticket from Patna to Delhi will cost Rs 1,254, while a sleeper berth will be priced at Rs 1,893. Similar discounted services will be available from Muzaffarpur, Gaya and Siwan to Delhi and Ambala, a step authorities say will help curb high fares charged by private bus operators.
According to the published timetable, buses to Delhi will depart from Gandhi Maidan in Patna at 11:30 a.m. and from Gaya at 7:30 p.m. Additional services will run from Purnia to Ambala and from Muzaffarpur to Ranchi. The Delhi corridor will receive the highest number of buses, with 62 services planned, followed by 40 buses to Haryana and 10 to Jharkhand. Routes to Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are also included.
BSRTC has introduced digital payment and ticketing options, including UPI, debit and credit cards and net banking, along with on-board e-ticketing facilities. Officials said the initiative is designed to offer a reliable alternative for travellers who fail to secure confirmed railway tickets and to make festive travel cheaper and more accessible.
