For the first time, Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) is expanding its Volvo bus services to intrastate routes, a significant development from their usual service limited to the Delhi airport routes. The PRTC plans to introduce these luxury Volvo buses to local routes, beginning with two buses on the Chandigarh-Abohar route.
Confirming this new initiative, PRTC Chairman Ranjodh Singh Hadana announced that the service within the state would commence the following week once all formalities are completed.
The initial phase involves launching two Volvo buses on the Chandigarh-Abohar route. Hadana expressed intentions to expand this service if the response is positive, potentially extending these luxurious buses to different routes across the state.
Presently, PRTC operates buses in various states, including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir. Out of its fleet of 1304 buses in different categories, the corporation possesses 19 Volvo buses. While private transport companies have been offering luxury intrastate travel, PRTC’s services within Punjab have primarily comprised either ordinary (non-AC) or HVAC buses (AC but not super luxury).
With no government-operated Volvo buses in the competition, private operators have reaped substantial profits, especially on routes like Chandigarh to Bathinda.
The decision to introduce Volvo buses on intrastate routes has been a long-awaited demand, particularly among university students. The Chandigarh to Abohar route will cover most of the Malwa region, and there are plans to introduce Volvo services on other routes after careful planning and assessment. This move is expected to bring about a significant transformation in the local travel experience, providing a more comfortable and luxurious option for commuters.