Punjab To Become India’s No. 1 State In Public Transport Infrastructure With Addition Of 1,279 New Govt Buses: Harpal Singh Cheema

Jul11,2026 | Jagrati Lahar Bureau | Chandigarh

Bhagwant Mann Govt to Increase Fleet Strength by 56% From 2,267 to 3,546 Buses, Largest Expansion in Over 2 Decades: Harpal Singh Cheema

796 New Buses Being Procured Directly, Equipped With DashCams, CCTV Cameras, GPS Tracking and UPI-Based Electronic Ticketing: Harpal Singh Cheema

Addition of CCTVs to Secure Travel for Women, Who Make Up 54 Percent of State Bus Commuters, Furthering Women Empowerment: Harpal Singh Cheema

Satellite-Based Route Mapping to Ensure Better Connectivity, Especially for Rural & Underserved Areas: Harpal Singh Cheema

Punjab Finance and Transport Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Saturday announced that Punjab is set to become the number one state in the country in public transport infrastructure through a major fleet expansion, with the addition of 1,279 new government buses. The expansion will increase the state’s fleet strength from 2,267 to 3,546 buses, marking a historic 56% increase, the largest in over two decades. Along with expanding the fleet, the Bhagwant Mann Government will also introduce advanced technologies, including DashCams, internal CCTV cameras, GPS tracking systems and UPI QR code-based electronic ticketing, to improve commuter safety, convenience and last-mile connectivity.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Punjab is undertaking the biggest expansion of its government bus fleet in more than two decades. With the addition of 1,279 buses, our total fleet strength will increase from 2,267 to 3,546 buses, making Punjab the number one state in the country in public transport infrastructure.”

Highlighting the direct procurement of buses, the Transport Minister said, “The Punjab Government has already placed orders for the purchase of 696 ordinary buses, of which 387 will be inducted into PUNBUS and 309 into the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation (PRTC). Around 300 of these buses are expected to become operational by November 2026, while the remaining buses will be inducted in a phased manner by the end of December 2026.”

He further informed that 100 midi buses have already been purchased for PRTC to strengthen connectivity in urban as well as rural areas. “These buses will enter service by September, taking the total number of directly procured buses to 796,” he added.

Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the deployment of the expanded fleet would be guided by scientific planning. “Satellite-based travel pattern surveys are being initiated across the state to identify underserved routes and ensure that buses are deployed where people need them the most. This evidence-based approach will help bridge existing connectivity gaps,” he said.

Announcing a major technological upgrade, the Transport Minister stated, “The new buses will be equipped with DashCams, internal CCTV cameras and advanced GPS tracking systems to ensure foolproof monitoring and significantly enhance passenger safety.”

Emphasising the Bhagwant Mann Government’s commitment to women’s safety and empowerment, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “At present, around 54% of passengers travelling on government buses are women. The installation of CCTV cameras in all new buses will further strengthen their safety and provide a secure and reliable travel environment.”

The Transport Minister also announced that the Transport Department is equipping conductors with advanced electronic ticketing machines supporting UPI payments through QR code scanning. “This modern system has been designed keeping in mind the growing preference of young passengers for digital payment methods, making ticketing more convenient and efficient,” he said.

Explaining the structural impact of the expansion, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Punjab currently has around seven government buses per lakh population. With this expansion, the ratio will increase to nearly 12 buses per lakh population, taking Punjab well above the national average for State Transport Undertakings.”

He added, “The enhanced fleet strength will enable PUNBUS and PRTC to increase frequencies on high-demand routes while also extending services to villages and towns that currently do not have scheduled government bus connectivity.”

Concluding the press conference, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “This strengthened and modernised public transport network reflects the Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to providing affordable, reliable, safe and accessible transport facilities to every citizen of the state.”

Bhagwant Mann Govt's Massive Expansion of Punjab’s Public Transport

* Existing government bus fleet: 2,267 buses
* Total new buses being added: 1,279 buses
* Government bus fleet after expansion: 3,546 buses
* Overall increase in fleet: 56%, the biggest expansion in more than two decades

Direct Purchase of Buses (796)

* 696 ordinary buses ordered:
* 387 buses for PUNBUS
* 309 buses for PRTC
* 100 Midi buses already purchased for PRTC to improve rural and city connectivity
* Total directly purchased buses: 796

Kilometre Scheme Buses (483)

* 483 buses to be inducted on lease under the Kilometre Scheme
* Over 250 leased buses are already operational
* Another 100 ordinary buses and 50 AC/HVAC buses are expected to start operating by October 2026

Rollout Timeline

* Around 300 ordinary buses to hit the roads by November 2026
* Remaining ordinary buses to be inducted by December 2026
* 100 Midi buses to enter service by September 2026

Better Bus Availability

* Current availability: About 7 government buses per lakh population
* After expansion: Nearly 12 buses per lakh population

Better Connectivity

* More bus services on busy routes
* Government bus connectivity to villages and towns that currently have no scheduled service
* Improved last-mile connectivity across Punjab
* Satellite-based surveys to identify underserved routes and deploy buses where they are needed most

Efficient Operations

* Annual scheduled mileage: 3,842 lakh kilometres
* Average daily run per bus: Around 300 kilometres, considered the optimum utilisation level

Why the Expansion?

* To meet rising passenger demand, especially after the introduction of free bus travel for women
* To provide affordable, reliable and accessible public transport across Punjab