Patna: Inter-district government bus services in Patna began operating from the Multi-Modal Hub near GPO Golambar and Patna Junction on Thursday, marking a major shift in the city’s public transport network.
With the new arrangement taking effect, operations from the Bankipur Bus Depot at Gandhi Maidan have been discontinued. All 400 Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) buses will now operate from the Multi-Modal Hub, while private buses will continue to run from the Bairiya bus stand.
The transition, however, caused confusion on the first day, with several passengers arriving at the former Bankipur depot before being redirected to the new facility.
Rail And Road Transport Integrated
The Multi-Modal Hub has been designed to integrate rail and road transport, allowing passengers arriving at Patna Junction to access bus services without crossing busy roads.
Passengers can reach the bus terminal through the ground-level subway connected to the pathway beside Mahavir Mandir, providing direct access between the railway station and the bus hub.
The Transport Department said the integrated facility is intended to reduce travel time and provide a seamless interchange between train and bus services.
All Government Buses Shifted
Under the new system, buses serving destinations across North Bihar, South Bihar and city routes now depart from the Multi-Modal Hub.
To ensure smooth traffic movement, each bus has been allotted a maximum halt time of 10 minutes within the terminal.
Although buses are operating according to schedule, the ticket counter at the new hub is yet to become operational. Until then, passengers are purchasing tickets directly onboard buses. Officials said the ticket counter will be opened soon.
Phulwarisharif Depot To Continue Services
BSRTC said services on designated routes will also continue from its Phulwarisharif complex, easing access for passengers living in the western parts of Patna while reducing congestion at the Multi-Modal Hub.
Direct Services To 26 Destinations
The new hub offers direct government bus services from Patna to 26 towns and cities across the state, including:
- Hajipur
- Muzaffarpur
- Motihari
- Chhapra
- Raxaul
- Bettiah
- Valmikinagar
- Sitamarhi
- Darbhanga
- Madhubani
- Jaynagar
- Bihar Sharif
- Nawada
- Rajgir
Other destinations include Sakri, Jhanjharpur, Phulparas, Araria, Jogbani, Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur and Harnaut.
Fares Announced
BSRTC has also released fares for the new services. Passengers can choose from standard, deluxe and AC deluxe buses, with fares varying by service category.
Among the standard fares announced are:
| Destination | Fare (Rs) |
|---|---|
| Hajipur | 61 |
| Muzaffarpur | 133 |
| Motihari | 246 |
| Chhapra | 269 |
| Raxaul | 317 |
| Bettiah | 305 |
| Sitamarhi | 222 |
| Darbhanga | 222 |
| Madhubani | 262 |
| Jaynagar | 297 |
| Bihar Sharif | 133 |
| Nawada | 190 |
| Rajgir | 185 |
