CHANDIGARH, APRIL 13 — Punjab’s transport infrastructure is set for a significant transformation following the government’s decision to integrate 1,265 new buses into state-run services.
Finance and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema declared on Sunday that the fleet expansion is a core part of the administration’s commitment to improving connectivity. The department has allocated 659 buses for the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation and 606 for PUNBUS, focusing on both luxury and standard travel categories.
The Kilometer Scheme remains a central pillar of this rollout. The Minister asserted that 250 buses have already been brought into service through this model, which was restricted to local participants.
“PRTC is currently going through an active tender process to procure an additional 309 standard buses alongside 100 Midi buses, ensuring a comprehensive upgrade to the regional transport infrastructure,” Minister Cheema declared while discussing the roadmap for PRTC.
The PUNBUS expansion will utilize a dual approach of direct procurement and public-private partnership. According to the Minister, 387 buses are being added to the general fleet to meet immediate transit demands. The fleet will also see the introduction of 19 Volvo units and 100 HVAC buses to upgrade passenger comfort, complemented by 100 ordinary buses.
Minister Cheema affirmed that the Kilometer Scheme allows private owners to customize their vehicles as long as they meet strict safety regulations. He declared that the overall fleet growth is expected to enhance the travel experience for thousands of daily passengers while fostering economic growth within the transport sector.
The Minister maintained that the addition of these vehicles will ensure a more frequent and reliable schedule for the public, reflecting a systematic effort to modernize the state’s transit capabilities.
