CHANDIGARH, APRIL 13 — The Punjab government announced a major expansion of the state’s public transport network Sunday, confirming the addition of 1,265 buses to the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation and PUNBUS fleets.
Finance and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that the initiative aims to provide robust and accessible transit options across the region. Under the plan, PRTC will receive 659 new buses while PUNBUS is slated to add 606 vehicles to its operations. The expansion includes a mix of standard, Volvo, and HVAC buses designed to meet diverse commuter needs.
Recent developments in the fleet expansion included the induction of 250 buses under the Kilometer Scheme. Minister Cheema noted that this specific program was designed to benefit local residents.
“This initiative was exclusively extended to residents of Punjab to generate maximum employment opportunities within the state,” the Minister affirmed. “Under this Kilometer scheme, the private individuals owning these buses were given the freedom to have their vehicles fabricated according to their own preferences, provided they strictly complied with all government standards and safety norms.”
The PRTC fleet is currently undergoing a procurement phase beyond the initial 250 vehicles. The department is managing an active tender process for 309 standard buses and 100 Midi buses to finalize the corporation’s total allocation.
For the PUNBUS division, the government has organized a systematic procurement strategy. Out of the 606 designated vehicles, 387 buses will join the general fleet directly. The remaining portion involves the induction of 19 Volvo buses and 100 HVAC buses, alongside 100 ordinary buses operated under the Kilometer Scheme.
Minister Cheema asserted that this historic push will improve frequency and reliability for daily commuters. He maintained that the strategy would simultaneously support local entrepreneurs and increase state revenue through better route coverage.
