Bhubaneswar: In a major leap towards enhancing urban mobility and promoting sustainable transportation, Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha, launched the state’s first-ever Double-Decker bus service, along with the launch of the Hop-On Hop-Off buses and Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration E-Bus services at the Mo Bus Depot in Gadakana, Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
This marks a significant milestone in Odisha’s efforts to build a cleaner, greener, and more efficient urban mobility infrastructure, as part of the state’s VIKSIT Odisha vision for a sustainable future. These initiatives will provide better connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions.
A total of five Double-Decker, ten Hop-On Hop-Off and 25 SJTA e-Bus will ply in the Capital Region.The Double-Decker buses will operate in Bhubaneswar, Puri, Cuttack and Khordha, offering a unique experience to the residents and visitors of these cities.
The Hop-On Hop-Off buses will cover key tourist destinations in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, offering a convenient and flexible mode of travel for tourists. This service is designed to allow visitors to explore the city at their own pace while experiencing its rich cultural and historical heritage.
Additionally, the SJTA E-Buses will operate inside Puri and ply to Bhubaneswar facilitating smoother and greener travel for pilgrims, tourists, and residents. SJTA buses are equipped with ramps to accommodate passengers using wheelchairs. Two individuals with wheelchairs were among the first passengers, and the Chief Minister personally handed them the first two tickets for the bus and on boarded them.
The Double Decker Bus Service will operate as an express service with fares ranging from a minimum of Rs.30 to a maximum of Rs.170.
The Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) Bus Service will offer a one-day pass priced at Rs.200, allowing unlimited travel on any route within the HOHO network. As part of an introductory offer, the ₹50 card fee will be waived until January 31st, 2025.
Later Chief Minister along with Cabinet ministers traveled in double-decker bus to Janata Maidan. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister, Housing & Urban Development Department handed over the first ticket of the bus to the Chief Minister.
Capital Region Urban Transport remains committed to enhance the urban transit system in Odisha and bringing new initiatives for convenience of citizens. Minister of School and Mass Education Sri Nityananda Gond, MP, Aparajita Sarangi, MLA, Babu Singh, Prasanta Jagdev, DC-cum-ACS Anu Gurg, Principal Secretary H&UD Usha Padhee, MD, CRUT N. Thirumala Nayak, Transport Commsioner Amitav Thakur and other dignitaries were present.
