Patiala: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday flagged off 100 new 29-seater minibuses for the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), announcing that the state would expand public transport services to improve connectivity between villages, small towns and cities.
The new buses are intended to make daily travel easier for rural residents, particularly students, workers and people who travel to urban centres for education, employment, business and essential services.
Mann also announced that 309 additional full-size buses are expected to join the fleet in November. The latest addition is part of the state government’s efforts to expand public transport coverage and improve access to transportation in rural areas.
100 Mini Buses to Operate Through Nine PRTC Depots
The newly introduced minibuses will operate on rural and small-town routes through nine PRTC depots. Their deployment is intended to improve connections between villages and nearby urban centres.
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The depot-wise allocation of the 100 buses is as follows:
- Patiala: 25 buses
- Bathinda: 15 buses
- Chandigarh: 15 buses
- Sangrur: 10 buses
- Barnala: 9 buses
- Budhlada: 8 buses
- Kapurthala: 7 buses
- Faridkot: 6 buses
- Ludhiana: 5 buses
Patiala has received the largest allocation, with 25 minibuses. The distribution across the nine depots is expected to support services on rural and smaller-town routes.
The new services could particularly benefit passengers who depend on public transport for regular journeys to schools, colleges, workplaces, markets and healthcare facilities.
CM Mann Says Every Village Should Have Bus Connectivity
Addressing the gathering after the flag-off ceremony, Mann reiterated his government’s commitment to connecting villages with cities.
Drawing a comparison with the reach of canal irrigation, he said the government wanted to ensure that bus services reached every village in Punjab. He described public transport as an essential service for rural communities rather than merely a means of travelling between destinations.
The Chief Minister also criticised previous governments, alleging that the discontinuation of some village-to-city bus services had made commuting difficult for rural residents.
He said the new buses were intended to improve access to education and employment and reduce the difficulties faced by people travelling from villages to urban areas.
The government has presented rural connectivity as part of its broader approach to ensuring that residents of smaller settlements can access opportunities and services available in cities.
150 Employment Opportunities Expected From New Buses
The induction of the 100 minibuses is expected to generate employment opportunities for approximately 150 drivers and conductors, according to the Chief Minister.
During the event, appointment letters were also handed over to 15 young people selected for jobs in the transport department.
The initiative therefore combines the expansion of public transport infrastructure with recruitment in the sector. The additional staff requirements associated with operating the buses are expected to create further livelihood opportunities.
Another 309 Full-Size Buses Planned for November
Mann announced that another 309 larger buses would be added to the transport fleet in November, further expanding the state’s public transport capacity.
He also referred to approximately 3,000 privately operated minibuses that already connect villages, towns and cities across Punjab.
The proposed addition of full-size buses is expected to complement the new minibuses by expanding capacity on routes where larger vehicles are required.
However, detailed route schedules and the deployment plan for the additional 309 buses have not been specified in the announcement.
Transport and Health Ministers Attend Flag-Off
Punjab Finance and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh were present at the flag-off ceremony in Patiala.
The event marked the induction of the latest minibuses into the PRTC fleet, with the government emphasising improved rural mobility, easier access to public services and employment generation.
The effectiveness of the expansion will depend on the routes covered, service frequency and the reliability of operations. The planned induction of 309 larger buses in November would represent the next stage of the state’s announced public transport expansion.
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