Noida: Noida Authority, in collaboration with UPSRTC, will launch 50 electric buses next month, marking a renewed push to strengthen public transport and last-mile connectivity.The buses will run on four routes originating from Botanical Garden bus stand, terminating at Gaur Chowk and Ek Murti in Greater Noida West, Noida International Airport, Sector 62 and Surajpur Collectorate.UPSRTC will operate the service, while Noida Authority will fund the viability gap.The initiative also aims to ease traffic congestion driven by the proliferation of smaller vehicles — Noida has over 12 lakh registered vehicles, including 7.1 lakh two-wheelers and 3.7 lakh private cars.
There are 4,548 buses in the city, 19,800 cabs, 17,892 autorickshaws and 26,997 e-rickshaws.A depot is being developed in Sector 90, with 20 charging stations, a service station and driver-conductor facilities. Once charged, buses will be deployed to Botanical Garden bus stand. Four opportunity charging stations will also be installed there for en route top-ups.“The operation will be carried out by UPSRTC at its prescribed ticket fares.
The viability gap funding will be borne by Noida Authority,” said CEO Krishna Karunesh.Separately, UPSRTC partnered with Switch Mobility in Jan to introduce eight double-decker AC buses in Noida, stationed at the Morna depot in Sector 35.Under this arrangement, operations will be managed by UPSRTC, while maintenance will be handled by Switch Mobility. Some charging infrastructure is already in place at Morna, and the buses are likely to begin operations next month.
“This will immensely help residents commuting,” said Rohitash Kumar, assistant regional manager, UPSRTC Noida.This isn’t Noida’s first attempt at a structured city bus service. In 2016, NMRC launched a feeder service across 11 routes covering Noida, Greater Noida and Greater Noida West, but suspended it during the Covid outbreak in March 2020 and formally shut it down in December that year, citing low ridership and mounting losses.
