Punjab is set to undertake its largest expansion of government-run public transport in more than two decades, with the state government announcing the induction of 1,279 new buses in a move aimed at strengthening connectivity, improving passenger safety and modernising public transport infrastructure across urban and rural areas.
The expansion, announced by Finance and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, will increase the combined fleet of PUNBUS and the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) from 2,267 to 3,546 buses — a 56 per cent rise that the government says will significantly improve access to affordable public transport throughout the state.
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, the minister said the initiative forms part of the Bhagwant Mann government’s broader effort to upgrade Punjab’s transport network through a combination of fleet expansion, digital technology and scientific route planning.
According to the government, 796 buses are being procured directly, including 696 standard buses and 100 midi buses. Of the ordinary buses, 387 will be deployed under PUNBUS while 309 will join the PRTC fleet. Around 300 buses are expected to begin operations by November 2026, with the remaining vehicles scheduled to be inducted by the end of December. The newly purchased midi buses are expected to enter service by September and are intended to strengthen transport links in both urban centres and rural areas.
The expansion will be complemented by an additional 483 buses to be inducted under the kilometre leasing scheme. More than 250 leased buses are already operational, while another 150 buses, including air-conditioned vehicles, are expected to be added by October this year.
Officials said the enlarged fleet would substantially improve the availability of government buses across Punjab. At present, the state operates roughly seven government buses for every one lakh people. Following the expansion, that figure is expected to rise to nearly 12 buses per lakh population, placing Punjab among the leading states in terms of public transport availability.
Beyond increasing fleet strength, the government is also introducing a comprehensive technological upgrade designed to improve operational efficiency and passenger safety.
All newly inducted buses will be equipped with dashboard cameras, internal CCTV surveillance systems, GPS-based vehicle tracking and electronic ticketing machines capable of accepting UPI payments through QR codes. The government says the measures are intended to improve monitoring, enhance transparency and make travel more convenient for passengers increasingly relying on digital payment platforms.
Passenger safety, particularly for women commuters, remains a central focus of the initiative.
The Transport Minister noted that women currently account for approximately 54 per cent of passengers travelling on state-run buses, a number that has increased following the introduction of free bus travel for women in Punjab. The installation of CCTV cameras across the new fleet, he said, is expected to provide an additional layer of security while encouraging greater confidence in public transport.
The government also plans to deploy buses using a data-driven approach rather than relying solely on traditional route planning.
Satellite-based travel pattern surveys will be conducted across Punjab to identify underserved regions, assess passenger demand and optimise route allocation. Officials say the exercise will help improve connectivity in villages and smaller towns that currently lack regular government bus services, while also increasing frequencies on heavily travelled routes.
The expanded fleet is expected to cover an annual scheduled distance of more than 3,842 lakh kilometres, with each bus operating an average of around 300 kilometres daily—considered an optimal utilisation level for state transport operations.
The government says the expansion has been driven by growing passenger demand and the need to strengthen last-mile connectivity while making public transport more reliable and accessible.
The initiative also reflects a broader shift towards modernising Punjab’s public transport system by integrating technology with infrastructure development. By combining larger fleet capacity with digital ticketing, GPS-enabled monitoring and evidence-based route planning, the state aims to improve operational efficiency while extending affordable transport services to previously underserved communities.
Describing the project as one of the most significant transport infrastructure initiatives undertaken by the state in recent years, the Transport Minister said the strengthened fleet would ensure better connectivity, safer travel and more dependable public transport for commuters across Punjab. He added that the government’s objective is to build a transport network that is modern, efficient and accessible to every citizen, regardless of where they live.
