Starting this September, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is set to enhance eco-friendly transportation by introducing 38 new electric buses on 11 routes from Ghaziabad. This initiative aims to provide greener travel options for daily commuters to neighboring districts and within the state.
New E-Bus Routes
The new electric buses will cover a variety of routes, significantly expanding the current intra-city service, you can also easily book UPSRTC buses on AbhiBus and travel hassle-free.
- Routes: Dehradun, Kasganj, Shamli, Moradabad, Kalagarh, Agra, Mathura, Bareilly, Rishikesh.
- Distances: Routes range from 152 km to 560 km.
Fleet and Infrastructure
- Fleet Details: The new long-distance e-buses will be 12 meters long, similar in seating capacity to the current 9-meter intra-city e-buses.
- Charging Stations: Eight new charging points with 3 MVA and 5 MVA capacities will be installed, costing Rs 6.84 crore.
- Driver Training: 85 bus drivers are currently undergoing specialized training to operate these e-buses.
Modernizing Bus Depots
UPSRTC is also upgrading bus depots to enhance the commuter experience:
- Depots: Kaushambi, Sahibabad, and Old Bus Adda are undergoing significant upgrades.
- ISBT Redevelopment: Two Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) in Ghaziabad—Sahibabad (15,000 square meters) and Old Bus Stand (10,000 square meters)—are being redeveloped at costs of Rs 161 crore and Rs 62 crore, respectively.
- Kaushambi ISBT: The redevelopment of the Kaushambi ISBT, estimated at Rs 261 crore, falls under the transit-oriented development (TOD) zone due to its proximity to metro and Namo Bharat networks.
Future Plans
- Fare Structure: The fare rate for the new e-bus routes will be decided soon.
- Completion Timeline: Although the ISBT redevelopment was initially slated for completion in 18 months, the arrangement of a temporary bus depot has caused delays.
UPSRTC’s introduction of 38 new electric buses on 11 routes from Ghaziabad is a significant step towards sustainable and modern transportation. This initiative, along with the upgrading of bus depots and ISBTs, promises to enhance the daily commuting experience for passengers, aligning with eco-friendly practices and improved infrastructure.
Source : timesofindia
