Mumbai, Aug. 28 -- From August 24, Bhopal will introduce 10 more electric buses, increasing the city e-bus fleet from 20 to 30. 10 vehicles were added last week, taking the fleet to 20 ahead of the new induction. The additional buses will be deployed on three existing routes to boost service frequency and capacity.
The expansion is expected to reduce waiting times to 10 to 15 minutes for commuters and improve overall connectivity. The electric bus service currently carries 10,000 to 12,000 passengers daily, indicating strong demand. The new vehicles will improve links between Kolar Road, Bawadiya Kalan, Bairagarh, MP Nagar and the Inter-State Bus Terminal, benefiting office-goers and students. Officials indicated the additional services will ease peak-hour crowding across central corridors.
The three routes, numbered B35, B36 and B37, cover large parts of the city and intersect at MP Nagar. Route B35 runs from Chirayu Hospital in Bairagarh to Aakriti Eco City in Salaiya and serves Lalghati, Hamidia Hospital, Peer Gate, Roshanpura, MP Nagar, Bittan Market and Rohit Nagar. Route B36 connects Coach Factory with Kolar Road and calls at Bhopal railway station, Ashoka Garden, Subhash Nagar, Board Office and Mandakini. Route B37 links the Bairagarh e-bus depot with ISBT and serves Shahjahanabad, Nadra Bus Stand, Malviya Nagar, Vallabh Bhavan and DB Mall.
The buses are equipped with hydraulic doors and a dedicated space opposite the door to accommodate two wheelchairs or tricycles, enhancing accessibility for passengers with disabilities. Wheelchair and tricycle users will be able to board and alight with greater ease through the hydraulic systems. This initiative marks the first time such accessibility features have been introduced in the city bus network, aligning with broader inclusion goals. Minimum fares range from Rs6 to Rs7 and the maximum fare is Rs40, maintaining affordability while expanding services.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.