Patna: In a move aimed at enhancing long-distance travel options between Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) is set to launch a fleet of 16 luxury buses from four cities—Patna, Buxar, Nalanda, and Kishanganj—to Ghaziabad starting in May. The initiative, rolled out under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, will feature daily services with four buses from each of the four districts.
Each bus will be equipped with modern amenities including mobile charging points, emergency exits, fire extinguishers, GPS tracking, and Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTD), ensuring passenger safety and comfort. Two categories of buses will be available: seater buses with 52 pushback seats in a 2×2 configuration, and sleeper buses with at least 37 berths arranged in a 2×1 layout. BSRTC will retain control over operations and pricing, while private agencies contracted for five years will handle daily operations.
Ticket bookings will be available both online and offline. The fare is expected to be Rs. 1400 for a seater and Rs. 1650 for a sleeper, although the final decision on pricing is still pending. Importantly, fare rates will remain consistent for both onward and return journeys, with no autonomy given to operating agencies to revise prices.
The new service is anticipated to benefit more than three lakh passengers annually, with a daily capacity of 832 travellers and a monthly reach of nearly 25,000. The decision targets high-traffic regions such as Seemanchal, Bhojpur-Shahabad, and Magadh, from where a significant number of people frequently travel to Ghaziabad. All buses will be registered in Bihar and adhere to the latest transport standards.
