Electric, pink bus services for Secretariat staff

Patna: In a move to strengthen public transport and reduce dependence on private vehicles, the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) will launch special electric and pink bus services for secretariat employees from May 18. The initiative comes a day after the increase in petrol and diesel prices and is aimed at easing traffic congestion in Patna while encouraging fuel-efficient commuting among govt employees.Transport secretary Raj Kumar said the service would provide safe, accessible and timely transport facilities to employees working in the old and new secretariat complexes. “The initiative will help reduce the use of private cars and motorcycles, leading to savings in petrol and diesel,” he said.BSRTC administrator Atul Kumar Verma said thousands of employees currently rely on personal vehicles for commuting to offices, which has significantly added to congestion and fuel consumption in the state capital. “The new electric bus service will offer a practical public transport alternative and support daily fuel savings,” he said.The buses will directly connect major parts of Patna with Purana Sachivalaya, Naya Sachivalaya, Vikas Bhawan and Vishwesvarrya Bhawan, besides key govt offices and institutions such as Income Tax, Niyojan Bhawan, Vidyut Bhawan, Patna High Court and Bihar Museum.According to the route plan, services will operate from Patna Junction, Danapur Station, Dhanuki Mor, Kurji and Gandhi Maidan, covering important residential and office areas across the city. BSRTC, which already operates 25 electric buses in Patna, will deploy these vehicles for the service.Officials said evening return services would also be available for employees. A special 5 pm pink bus service has been introduced exclusively for women employees to ensure safer and more convenient travel. The initiative is also expected to promote an environment-friendly and energy-efficient public transport system in the state.