Punjab Finance and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday flagged off five new Super Integral Volvo coach buses of Punbus that will operate between Jalandhar and Ludhiana and the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The move is aimed at providing comfortable, safe and affordable connectivity to international travellers, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and regular passengers while further strengthening Punjab’s public transport network.
Addressing the gathering, Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “This vital initiative will greatly assist international commuters and routine passengers besides completely eliminating the transport mafia from the state.” Highlighting the vision behind the airport bus service, Harpal Singh Cheema said that under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government remains firmly committed to public welfare and strengthening public transport facilities.
He noted that the airport bus service was first conceptualised and launched on June 15, 2022, from Jalandhar Bus Stand by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The Transport Minister further announced that to facilitate the general public and the NRI community, the Transport Department is adding a total of 15 new Super Integral Coach buses to the Punbus fleet.
“The first five premium buses have been successfully rolled out today, and the remaining buses will further enhance connectivity and passenger convenience,” he said. Sharing details of the schedule, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “These five new luxury buses will depart daily from Jalandhar Bus Stand at 06:50, 07:40, 09:10, 14:27 and 23:30, while departures from Ludhiana Bus Stand are scheduled at 08:20, 09:15, 11:20, 16:20 and 00:20.
The return services from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, to Punjab will operate at 04:40, 09:00, 17:20, 19:30 and 21:40. This will ensure that the people of Punjab and the NRI diaspora have access to a comfortable, safe and pleasant travel experience to the international airport at heavily subsidised and highly economical ticket prices.”
Providing a broader update on the Punjab Government’s efforts to modernise public transport, Harpal Singh Cheema said that a major fleet expansion programme is already underway across the state. “A total of 696 new buses are being integrated into the operations of Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC.
Punbus is adding 100 new ordinary buses, 100 HVAC air-conditioned buses and 10 additional Super Integral Coach buses under the kilometre scheme, while PRTC is being strengthened with 245 ordinary buses under the same scheme. These additions will significantly improve the quality, reach and reliability of public transport services across Punjab,” he added.
Former MLA Pawan Kumar Tinu and Director State Transport Punjab-cum-Managing Director Punbus Rajiv Kumar Gupta were among those present on the occasion.