PRTC to add 409 buses to fleet, upgrade infra & boost revenue

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Patiala, Bathinda bus stands among facilities set for upgrades as corporation expands fleet and explores new income sources

Patiala, October 1

The Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) would add 100 new midi buses and 309 large buses to its fleet as part of efforts to expand public transport services, PRTC Chairman Harpal Juneja said.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday evening, Juneja said 100 new junior PRTC (midi) buses owned by the corporation were being added to the fleet. Ten of these buses had already reached the headquarters, while 40 more were expected to arrive within the next two days. The remaining 50 buses are expected to be added by around October 20.

He said as many of these 100 buses as possible would be operated from the old bus stand in Patiala to facilitate passengers.

Juneja further said 309 new ordinary large buses owned by the PRTC would soon be added to the fleet. The corporation has already added 254 buses under the kilometre scheme, he added.

Alongside the fleet expansion, the PRTC is working on strengthening its infrastructure. The new bus stand in Patiala has been operated on an operate-and-maintain basis, while construction and infrastructure-related work is underway to restart the old bus stand.

Juneja said the work was also progressing on a modern bus stand in Bathinda through the public-private partnership mode. Renovation work at the Talwandi Sabo bus stand and the Budhlada workshop and bus stand is also underway.

“The PRTC is also working to develop new sources of revenue by making better use of its available assets and resources. Projects involving the Verka milk plant, solar rooftop systems and retail outlets or petrol pumps are among the initiatives being pursued,” the chairman added.

Juneja said efforts were being undertaken simultaneously to expand the fleet, improve passenger facilities, upgrade infrastructure and develop new revenue sources to strengthen the PRTC.