UPSRTC to bring 2,500 off-road buses back into operation; plans 100 electric Noida buses and rural route expansion

Officials noted that UPSRTC previously operated CNG buses in Noida.

Officials noted that the Centre is pushing cleaner public transport; the Delhi government has deployed around 1,000 electric buses across Delhi and NCR, leaving Uttar Pradesh with virtually no electric-bus presence in the region so far.

UPSRTC buses currently ferry around 18 to 20 lakh passengers daily across Uttar Pradesh, with women estimated to account for nearly 33% of total ridership.

Under a new cabinet-cleared scheme to improve village-to-block and district-headquarters connectivity, UPSRTC has decided to fast-track operations. Officials said over 900 applications from rural bus operators have been received and will be disposed of quickly for early operations.

UPSRTC is expediting operations by applying for permits on over 1,500 newly formulated routes across the state and will operate its buses parallel to private operators on these routes.

UPSRTC plans to roll out 100 electric buses in the Noida region after signing an MoU with the Noida Authority for viability-gap funding. Six routes have been identified (expandable to eight) interconnecting Noida, Greater Noida, UPYEIDA and Jewar. The viability gap is expected to be around ₹20 per km; the actual cost being ₹130 per km. Officials said the MoU signing will occur soon.

Prabhu Narain Singh, UPSRTC managing director, chaired a meeting to address passenger demand; officials said the decision was made to bring all 2,500 off-road buses back into operation and to implement other measures in line with the chief minister's instructions.