Jharkhand bus services have been expanded from Ranchi and Jamshedpur as train waiting lists for Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other destinations run into the hundreds ahead of Diwali and Chhath, with operators reporting a sharp rise in advance bookings.
The additional services are connecting passengers from Ranchi and Jamshedpur to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Bus operators said students, migrant workers and employees based in Jharkhand have begun travelling to their hometowns, while the lack of available train reservations and high airfares have increased demand for road transport.
The Jharkhand State Bus Owners’ Association said more than 100 buses operate daily between Ranchi and Patna. There are also around 15 buses each to Kolkata, Bhubaneswar and Raipur. Operators have reported brisk business on these routes as passengers make advance bookings for the festive period.
“Bus operators are doing brisk business this year. People working in Ranchi have already started travelling to their hometowns. The unavailability of train tickets and high airfares have worked in favour of bus operators,” association representative Mantri said.
Jamshedpur has also seen a rise in inter-state bus operations. The Sitaramdera inter-state terminus, which normally handles about 100 buses a day, is now handling approximately 150 buses daily. Around 50 additional buses have been added to services connecting the city with Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, according to the Jamshedpur Bus Owners’ Welfare Association.
“There has been an increase in the number of buses operating on different routes. Around 50 additional buses have been added, but the festive rush has not started yet. We expect demand to rise sharply two days before Diwali and continue after the festival. Many passengers are booking in advance,” association president Uday Sharma said.
Services to Bihar have increased to 105 buses from about 85 on regular days. Operators said demand is particularly strong on routes to Patna, Chhapra, Siwan, Ara, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Nawada and Bihar Sharif. These routes serve a large pool of workers and employees travelling from the industrial and administrative centres of Jharkhand to towns and villages in Bihar.
Operators in Jamshedpur said fares have largely remained unchanged despite the increase in demand. For passengers unable to secure train reservations, buses have become the available alternative for reaching home during the festival period.
“I wanted to travel by train, but tickets were unavailable. I booked a bus ticket so I can be with my family in Siwan for Diwali and Chhath,” said Sunil Gupta, an Adityapur-based worker.
Transporters expect buses on major inter-state routes from Ranchi and Jamshedpur to fill up as the festive peak approaches. Demand is expected to rise sharply two days before Diwali and remain elevated after the festival as passengers return to Jharkhand.
