Jaipur City Transport Services Limited (JCTSL) is gearing up for a significant boost in city transportation services following the state government’s latest announcement to procure 1,000 electric buses. This influx of new e-buses is expected to facilitate the reinstatement of six bus routes that were suspended last year due to a shortage of operational buses.
In a notable development, the state government’s recent budget has allocated 500 e-buses for Jaipur, with a subsequent increase bringing the total to 1,000. This revised procurement plan means that JCTSL is anticipated to receive at least 300 of these new e-buses. The additional vehicles will provide the necessary capacity to reinstate services on six routes—AC-3, AC-5, 10B, 4A, 18, and 23—that were indefinitely withdrawn on April 1, 2023, due to insufficient fleet numbers. The withdrawal of these routes, along with a reduction in the number of buses and daily services on several other routes, had caused significant inconvenience to daily commuters. This move was met with criticism from local politicians, including Malviya Nagar’s MLA, who condemned the previous Congress government for its lack of commitment to revitalising the transport infrastructure.
The JCTSL’s fleet had been notably diminished, with 100 out of its 300 buses removed from service as they reached the end of their operational life. The new influx of e-buses is expected to address these deficiencies and enhance the corporation’s service capacity. Additionally, there are plans to introduce new routes in Pratap Nagar, targeting the coaching hub developed by the housing board, as well as establishing services on Delhi Road and Agra Road, which are on the city’s periphery.
The urban development and housing department has specifically requested these new routes to improve connectivity in these areas. With the anticipated arrival of the e-buses, JCTSL is optimistic about revitalising its services and meeting the growing demands of Jaipur’s commuters, marking a substantial step forward in enhancing the city’s public transport infrastructure.
