Chandigarh, July 11 -- From July 13, passengers travelling on Punjab's state-run buses will be able to book tickets online from the comfort of home, as the state government rolls out a smart electronic ticketing system across the fleets of Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC). For starters, the digital initiative will launch on a pilot basis from Patiala on July 13. After a month-long trial, the system will gradually expand to bus depots across the state. Commuters will be able to purchase unreserved tickets through UPI, debit and credit cards and digital wallets. The app-generated tickets will carry QR codes that can be scanned by Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs), eliminating the need for paper tickets and reducing boarding time. A dedicated mobile app is also in the works, featuring bus schedules, route details, nearby bus stops, real-time bustracking and estimated arrival times. Manisha Rana, managing director of PRTC, said the government had approved the implementation of an Automatic Fare Collection System under which 4,200 Android-based ETMs will be deployed. Of these, 2,200 devices will be allotted to PRTC buses, while the remaining 2,000 will be installed in Punjab Roadways and PUNBUS fleets. "The project aims to digitise fare collection, improve operational efficiency and significantly enhance passenger convenience," she said. The system has been designed to support the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) in the future, paving the way for seamless integration with other public transport systems across the country. Officials said the digital platform was expected to enhance transparency, strengthen revenue monitoring, reduce manual intervention and curb ticketing-related leakages while offering faster and more reliable services to passengers. The smart ticketing project forms part of a broader effort to modernise Punjab's public transport system. The state government is also set to induct 387 new buses to strengthen services on high-demand inter-state routes connecting Punjab with Delhi, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and parts of Uttarakhand. Despite operating an extensive network, the transport department continues to face a shortage of buses on several long-distance routes, resulting in overcrowding and limited availability during peak travel periods. To address the growing demand, the department recently inducted 250 buses under the kilometre scheme and launched Volvo services linking major cities in Punjab with the Delhi International Airport, improving connectivity and passenger comfort for long-distance travellers....