Noida is preparing to restart its long-delayed city bus network with a renewed focus on electric mobility, as authorities accelerate the redevelopment of the Sector 90 depot ahead of commercial operations linked to the upcoming airport corridor.
The overhaul comes at a critical moment for the National Capital Region’s mobility ecosystem. With commercial flights expected to begin soon at Noida International Airport, planners are positioning the new electric bus service as a key public transport link connecting Noida, Greater Noida, Greater Noida West and Ghaziabad. Urban mobility experts say the move could reduce dependence on private vehicles while improving last-mile connectivity across rapidly expanding residential and industrial clusters. Work at the depot intensified this week as crews cleared out ageing buses that had remained unused for years after the earlier feeder service was suspended during the pandemic. Heavy machinery was deployed to remove deteriorated vehicles from the premises, while teams began repainting structures, clearing debris and preparing the site for charging infrastructure. Officials overseeing the project said 100 electric buses are expected to begin arriving shortly, with trial operations planned before the formal rollout of services later this month. A portion of the depot is being redesigned to house charging systems and operational facilities for drivers and maintenance staff.
The redevelopment project, estimated at more than Rs 8 crore, includes civil upgrades, architectural improvements and site modernisation intended to convert the ageing facility into a functional electric mobility hub. The transformation reflects a wider shift among Indian cities towards low-emission transport systems as urban centres face worsening congestion, rising fuel costs and increasing pressure to cut transport-related pollution. The earlier bus network, introduced nearly a decade ago across Noida and Greater Noida, struggled with weak ridership and operational losses before services stopped during the Covid-19 disruption. Since then, dozens of buses had remained parked inside the depot without upkeep, leading to extensive corrosion, broken windows and damaged mechanical systems. Urban planners note that the revival effort carries broader significance beyond transport operations.
The launch of a modern Electric Bus Service could help integrate emerging economic zones around the airport region with residential neighbourhoods, educational institutions and office districts. Reliable and affordable public transport is increasingly viewed as essential infrastructure for supporting equitable urban growth in NCR cities experiencing rapid real estate expansion. Officials have also initiated the dismantling of an abandoned fuel station within the depot, signalling a transition away from fossil fuel-based transport infrastructure. Transport analysts say such redevelopments, though incremental, are important for building cleaner and climate-responsive city systems. The success of the Electric Bus Service, however, will depend on frequency, route reliability, fare integration and commuter trust. For residents navigating long daily commutes across NCR, the coming weeks will determine whether Noida’s renewed push towards sustainable mobility can evolve into a dependable urban transit network rather than another short-lived experiment.
