Chandigarh: To expand public transportation accessibility in rural areas, the Punjab govt will add 100 world-class ‘PRTC Junior’ buses to the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation fleet by mid-September, transport minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced on Monday after a review meeting with officials from the Punjab transport department to evaluate ongoing infrastructure upgrades and service expansions.The minister said that these fully built midi buses were being manufactured and delivered by Eicher.He also directed the transport department to introduce innovative ideas aimed at further elevating the quality of public transport services. Cheema emphasised the importance of simultaneously increasing revenue streams to ensure the long-term financial stability and operational strengthening of both PRTC and PUNBUS.Underlining the state govt’s push to revamp public transit, he announced that 1,279 new buses were being added to the state fleet. “This will increase the number of govt buses from 2,267 to 3,546, marking the largest addition in 20 years and taking Punjab closer to becoming the country’s top-performing state,” the minister added.He said the state govt was also strengthening connectivity for NRIs, international flyers, and regular commuters. As part of this, the state has rolled out 15 premium airport buses, including Volvo coaches from Jalandhar and Ludhiana to Delhi airport. “This has broken the stranglehold of the transport mafia and made travel easier for everyone,” said Cheema.
