BHOPAL: Bhopal's public transport system entered a new phase on Thursday as 10 electric buses began regular passenger operations on three routes across the city. Around 2,000 passengers travelled on the new e-buses on the first day, with the Kolar route recording the highest passenger movement. The service was opened to regular commuters after ticketing checks and trial runs without passengers were completed. Officials said the initial response remained somewhat limited because many residents were still unaware of the new service and only 10 buses have been deployed so far. The buses are currently operating between Chirayu Hospital and DB Mall Metro Station, DB Mall Metro Station and Coach Factory, and on the route towards Kolar via Bairagarh-Chichli. Passenger movement remained comparatively high on the Kolar and Bairagarh-Chichli route through the day, while the Coach Factory route witnessed normal traffic. The first e-bus left Bairagarh depot at 5.04 am. During the first six hours, between 6 am and noon, around 850 passengers used the service, generating nearly Rs 13,000 in revenue. By the end of the day, the passenger count had reached around 2,000.

The fare structure has been kept similar to the existing city bus service, with tickets ranging from Rs 7 to Rs 40 depending on the distance. Passengers will not have to pay an additional charge for air-conditioned travel. One commuter travelling from Nayapura towards MP Nagar paid Rs 17 for the journey and described the new bus as comfortable. The e-buses will also use Bhopal's existing bus stops, meaning passengers will not have to look for separate stops for the new service. At present, the buses are operating until around 7 pm, though there are plans to extend the service from 6 am to 8 pm once operations stabilise. A two-shift arrangement has also been kept in place, with one shift between 8 am and noon and another from 2 pm to 6 pm. Officials expect daily revenue to cross Rs 30,000 as awareness about the service increases and more passengers begin using the buses. The introduction of the electric fleet is significant for a city where the number of regular city buses has fallen sharply. Around two years ago, Bhopal had nearly 368 city buses in operation, while the number has now dropped below 50.

A total of 100 electric buses have been approved for Bhopal. Of these, 30 have already reached the city, though only 10 have been deployed for commercial operations in the first phase. Another 10 buses are expected to join the service in the next phase, while all 30 buses already available in the city could gradually be deployed depending on passenger demand and operational requirements. Officials also expect another 20 buses to arrive within the next 10 to 12 days. A formal state-level launch of the bus service is proposed for August 15. The new Bhopal electric buses are around nine metres long and approximately three-and-a-half metres wide, making them smaller than several older city buses that are around 12 metres long. Their compact size is expected to make movement easier on narrow roads and through crowded parts of the city. The buses also include hydraulic doors for passengers with disabilities and six surveillance cameras. Traffic congestion, however, remains a challenge. On the first day, the Board Office-Coach Factory route was affected by heavy traffic, with a stretch between Prabhat Square and the railway station that normally takes around five minutes requiring nearly 21 minutes. Officials attributed the delay around Ashoka Garden and Pushpa Nagar to roadside encroachments, shops occupying footpaths and irregular parking.