In a move to ease travel for passengers during the festive seasons, the Bihar Transport Department will operate 150 new AC buses on routes connecting Bihar with Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. These buses will be deployed for nearly three months annually under a government subsidy scheme and will run in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
Applications Invited from Bus Owners
Following the announcement by the state government, the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation has initiated the process to implement the scheme. Applications from interested vehicle owners were invited on Wednesday, and submissions will be accepted at the Transport Complex in Phulwarisharif until July 26.
Operation Periods Coinciding with Major Festivals
As per departmental information, these buses will run for two key periods in the year:
- Around Durga Puja and Chhath, the service will operate for about two months (starting 15 days before Durga Puja and ending 15 days after Chhath).
- Around Holi, the buses will operate for about one month (15 days before and 15 days after the festival).
For the remaining nine months of the year, bus owners will be free to operate their vehicles independently.
Subsidy of Rs. 20 Lakh for New AC Buses
To encourage participation, the Transport Department is offering a subsidy of Rs. 20 lakh per bus, to be disbursed in five annual installments of Rs. 4 lakh. This financial support is aimed at facilitating the purchase and operation of new AC buses specifically for festival season travel.
Permits and Assistance Provided by Corporation
The Bihar State Road Transport Corporation will handle all permit requirements and offer operational support for the interstate routes including Bihar-Delhi, Bihar-Uttar Pradesh, Bihar-Punjab, Bihar-Haryana, and Bihar-West Bengal. The initiative is expected to significantly enhance passenger convenience during high-demand festive periods.
