With a fleet of 200 buses, Mo Bus has established itself as a trusted service, featuring free Wi-Fi, GPS, CCTV surveillance, information displays, and a mobile app for real-time tracking. Over time, the fleet has expanded to include more than 95 electric buses, promoting sustainable, green mobility across the city.
Mo Bus along with Project Vahak got Bhubaneswar, the title of ‘City with the Best Public Transport System’ at the 17thUrban Mobility India (UMI) Conference held at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. This accolade is the culmination of years of planning, visionary leadership, and a commitment to transforming the city’s transport landscape into one that prioritizes convenience, safety, and inclusivity.
Two key figures behind this transformation are Arun Bothra, IPS, and Thirumal Naik, the Managing Director of Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), whose efforts have redefined what public transport can mean for an Indian city.
The foundation of Bhubaneswar’s public transport revolution is the Mo Bus initiative, launched in 2018. Under the leadership of Arun Bothra, then Transport Commissioner and MD of CRUT, Mo Bus was designed to create a smart, seamless, and user-friendly experience. “Mo Bus was more than a transport project; it was about providing a modern, convenient, and inclusive travel experience,” Bothra told Indian Masterminds.
Today, Naik continues to build on this progress, with plans to add 450 more electric buses within the next three to four months, along with additional facilities like automatic vending machines for ticketing and five new bus depots. Teams have also been formed to ensure quality service by monitoring bus speed and driver behavior.
Bhubaneswar’s Mo Bus initiative has not only won national awards from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as the Best City Bus Service Project, but it has also received global recognition from the United Nations for promoting gender-responsive services that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Complementing Mo Bus is the fleet of 50 e-rickshaws, driven exclusively by women from marginalized communities, including HIV-positive individuals and transgender individuals, showcasing Bhubaneswar’s commitment to inclusive growth and empowerment.
ENHANCING ROAD SAFETY WITH DATA- DRIVEN INITIATIVE
Beyond enhancing public transportation, Bhubaneswar’s administration has focused on road safety with a technological edge. Recognizing that the root cause of accidents is often misattributed to driver error, the state launched the Integrated Road Accident Database (IRAD) in 2021. Initially piloted in five districts, IRAD has now expanded across the state. Through scientific data collection, the database enables authorities to accurately assess accident causes, helping them make targeted improvements to prevent future incidents.
This data-driven approach to road safety reflects Bhubaneswar’s commitment to creating safer roads, demonstrating a proactive approach that has become a model for other cities across the country.
TRAINING SKILLED, RESPONSIBLE DRIVERS
Road safety starts with skilled drivers. Under the Project Vahak initiative, the state is training Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) drivers, equipping them with essential skills for safe and efficient driving. The program provides three days of hands-on, residential training at the Heavy Motor Vehicle Driving Training Institute in Jajapur district, teaching drivers defensive driving techniques, safe vehicle operation, and even fuel-saving practices. So far, 2,000 drivers have been trained, with an ambitious target of 100,000 by year-end. “These skills are essential for drivers who operate large vehicles on our roads, as safe and efficient driving can significantly reduce accidents and conserve fuel,” says Bothra, who originally spearheaded the project.
SAFER, SMARTER, SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT
For Bhubaneswar, the award for best public transport system is just the beginning. Thirumal Naik, the current MD of CRUT, envisions further integrating technology to continuously improve Bhubaneswar’s transport and safety systems. “It’s great what we have achieved, but there’s more we can do,” he says. “We are committed to enhancing our transport system, adding value for commuters, and continuing our journey toward a safer, smarter Bhubaneswar.”
Since 2018, Bhubaneswar’s efforts have been acknowledged not only by the Government of India but also by the United Nations. These recognitions are a testament to the city’s comprehensive approach to mobility, encompassing everything from green transportation to safety, and from inclusivity to smart tech integration.
Through projects like Mo Bus, IRAD, and Project Vahak, Bhubaneswar has emerged as a national leader in urban mobility, providing an exemplary model of what public transport can achieve. The tireless efforts of leaders like Arun Bothra and Thirumal Naik have created a public transport system that reflects Bhubaneswar’s values of accessibility, safety, and innovation—a system that truly benefits all.
