In a major boost to suburban connectivity, the Transport Department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has announced the replacement of existing 24 buses which consists of diesel and electric both, 30 electric buses on the Kamptee-Kanhan-Tekadi route starting April 20. This strategic move is designed to cater to the growing demand for public transport while offering commuters options based on their time constraints. This electric bus offers a seating capacity for 41 passengers and a standing capacity for an additional 24 commuters.

 

To optimise travel times, a senior transport officer revealed that the fleet will be split into two distinct routes -- Overbridge Route: 10 buses will ply directly over the bridges to save time for long-distance commuters; and Below-Bridge Route: 20 buses will operate on the lower roads to serve local stops and internal residential pockets. Route Identification Buses passing will be clearly numbered, allowing citizens to easily bifurcate and choose the service that best suits their destination. For the passengers willing to travel under the Kamptee ROB, they can travel from the bus indicating Route No 38 and the passenger who want to travel non-stop they can choose Route No 39 buses.

 

“We had deployed few diesel buses on over-bridge as pilot project to know the need and surprisingly we received much positive response. With this transport department decided to deploy full-time buses on the over-bridge, which will save commuters time and prevent them from the excessive heat,” said the senior officer, refused to reveal the name. The department is also highlighting its success with dedicated services, such as the specialised transport provided for a group of 40 professionals from MIHAN. These passengers benefit from a highly efficient system where buses arrive at designated spots 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. To maintain transparency and data accuracy, these commuters are required to tap their passes upon every entry. The shift toward electric buses is part of a larger mission to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and improve road safety. By providing a reliable alternative to private two-wheelers, the NMC aims to decrease traffic congestion and the annual accident count.

 

 

When The Hitavada highlighted the concern of the requirement of late night buses for working professionals, responding to the need the Senior Transport Officer mentioned, “The NMC will try to extend bus operational hours throughout city. Services that previously ran from 5.30 am until 9.30 pm will may now be extended until 10 pm. “Our goal is to ensure that citizens no longer have to endure long waits at bus stops,” stated the senior officer. “With buses now arriving at 15-minute intervals, we have made the service fast and efficient. We urge the public to choose government buses over private vehicles to save time, protect lives, and reduce the number of accidents on our roads.”