Noida: UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday virtually flagged off 45 electric buses and three hydrogen buses for Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna City — a fleet intended to boost last-mile connectivity as Noida International Airport prepares to begin commercial operations on June 15.The CM said 110 electric buses would be rolled out as the flight operations commence, and the fleet would be gradually expanded to 500 buses.Addressing the event from Lucknow, the CM said Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna City emerged as major hubs for IT, data centres, semiconductors and allied industries, making environment-friendly public transport essential to sustaining regional economic growth. He said the new electric bus service — operated jointly by three development authorities and UPSRTC — would provide sustainable last-mile connectivity to airport passengers while advancing the state’s net-zero goals.The CM noted that UP now hosts two electric bus manufacturing facilities. Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland-Hinduja Group have established plants in Lucknow, ending the state’s dependence on out-of-state procurement. Around 700 electric buses currently operate across 17 municipal corporations in the state, and Noida has now joined the network.On Friday, 11 buses each were allotted to Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna City. The remaining 12 buses, stationed in Lucknow for the launch event, are to be dispatched to Noida soon, officials said.Finance minister Suresh Khanna, industrial development minister Nand Gopal Gupta, transport minister Dayashankar Singh and minister of state Jaswant Singh Saini attended the event.In Noida, the programme was held at Shilp Haat and attended by Noida Authority CEO Krishna Karunesh, Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate Medha Roopam and Gautam Budh Nagar MP Mahesh Sharma. In Greater Noida, Dadri MLA Tejpal Nagar and Greater Noida Authority CEO NG Ravi Kumar flagged off the buses from the authority office. In the Yamuna Authority area, the launch was held at the Medical Device Park in Sector 28. Following the ceremony, officials travelled to Noida International Airport by electric bus.The buses will initially operate within the jurisdictions of the three authorities, connecting passengers to the airport and Ghaziabad bus depot. Services will be extended to Delhi as the network expands. Tickets are currently available on board as online booking is yet to be introduced.The three hydrogen-powered buses, provided by NTPC, run on hydrogen generated from purified treated sewage water compressed into gas. The 42-seater coaches have a hydrogen storage capacity of 56 kg and a range of up to 750 km on a single refill. “This green hydrogen pilot is a significant step towards energy conservation and sustainable transportation. It will not only help reduce pollution but pave the way for a green transport model for the future,” said YEIDA CEO RK Singh.
