The Punjab government has taken a significant step toward strengthening and enhancing the accessibility of the state’s public transport system. Announcing a comprehensive expansion of the transport network, the State Finance and Transport Minister, Harpal Singh Cheema, stated that a large number of new buses would be inducted into the fleet in the near future.
The Transport Minister informed that 250 buses had recently been added to the fleet under the ‘Kilometer Scheme.’ He noted that this initiative was dedicated specifically to the residents of Punjab, with the objective of generating maximum employment opportunities within the state. Under this scheme, bus owners (private individuals) were permitted to customize their vehicles according to their preferences, provided they strictly adhered to government standards and safety regulations.
Tender Process For Bus Procurement
To achieve the target of 659 buses for the PRTC (Punjab Road Transport Corporation), the department is not limiting itself solely to the Kilometer Scheme. The Minister revealed that, as part of a broader modernization of the regional transport infrastructure, the PRTC is currently engaged in an active tender process for the procurement of 100 mini-buses and 309 other standard buses.
Detailing the allocation of 606 buses designated for ‘Punbus,’ the Minister stated that a well-planned procurement strategy has been formulated.
Addressing Route-Related Issues
He stated that 387 buses would be directly inducted into the general fleet of Punbus to immediately address the growing demand across various routes. The remaining buses will be added under the Kilometer Scheme, thereby further improving operational efficiency and route coverage.
He further explained that, in this phase, 19 Punbus Volvo buses and 100 HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) buses would be inducted, offering passengers a more comfortable travel experience. Additionally, with the inclusion of 100 standard buses under the Kilometer Scheme, the total count of new Punbus buses will reach 606.
