Ghaziabad Commuters Rejoice: 100 New Electric Buses Set To Ease Daily Traffic Chaos

Ghaziabad is set to add 100 more electric city buses to its public transport fleet, a move expected to ease daily travel for commuters who currently depend heavily on autos, e-rickshaws and private vehicles. The Urban Development Department has approved the proposal to increase the number of city buses, officials said.

The decision comes at a time when the city’s existing electric bus network is struggling with limited availability. Ghaziabad has 50 electric city buses for daily passengers, but 17 of them are parked at the depot because of battery-related faults. For a city with an estimated population of around 35 lakh, the reduced fleet has made public transport gaps more visible on several routes.

More electric buses for Ghaziabad commuters

The planned addition of 100 electric buses is aimed at strengthening last-mile and intra-city connectivity across key parts of Ghaziabad. Once the buses are made available to the region, they are expected to be deployed on major roads, industrial corridors, residential areas, railway stations and bus terminals.

Officials expect the expanded fleet to reduce pressure on informal transport modes, especially during office and school hours. At present, many commuters rely on shared autos and e-rickshaws because bus frequency remains low or unavailable on important stretches. This raises daily travel costs and adds to congestion on already busy routes.

Peak-hour traffic has become a regular concern on several city roads as more residents use personal vehicles for short and medium-distance travel. A larger electric bus fleet could give commuters a more predictable option, particularly on routes linking workplaces, educational institutions, markets and transit hubs.

The proposal is also significant for working women, students and daily wage workers. Better bus availability can improve access to safer and more affordable public transport, especially in areas where current bus connectivity is weak. Several upscale and densely populated localities also lack regular city bus services despite steady commuter demand.

Battery faults hit existing city bus services

The condition of the current fleet has highlighted the need for stronger maintenance and timely replacement support. Of the 50 electric buses available with the transport corporation in Ghaziabad, 17 have been out of service due to faulty battery packs. This has reduced operational capacity and affected passengers on already underserved routes.

Electric buses are central to clean urban mobility plans because they reduce tailpipe emissions and noise compared with diesel vehicles. However, their benefits depend on reliable charging systems, battery maintenance and quick repairs. The Ghaziabad case shows that fleet expansion must be matched with proper depot infrastructure and service support.

The new buses are expected to improve frequency once they are inducted. For passengers, frequency matters as much as fleet size. If buses are available at shorter intervals and cover high-demand points, commuters are more likely to shift from costlier and less reliable modes of transport.

Ghaziabad’s location in the National Capital Region also makes public transport planning more complex. The city has daily movement towards Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida and industrial areas within western Uttar Pradesh. Stronger city bus services can help connect neighbourhoods to metro stations, railway points and inter-city bus routes.

Noida airport connectivity gets permit approval

Alongside the Ghaziabad city bus expansion, the Regional Transport Authority has approved permits for 18 buses linked to Noida International Airport connectivity. The approvals were granted during a meeting chaired by Meerut Divisional Commissioner Bhanu Chandra Goswami.

Pramod Kumar Singh, secretary of the authority, said permits were approved for multiple routes connecting areas around Rabupura, Botanical Garden, Pari Chowk, Surajpur, the collectorate and Jewar airport. The approval includes 12 buses on the Jewar airport to Pari Chowk route, which is expected to become important as airport-linked movement increases.

Four buses have been permitted for the Rabupura to Botanical Garden route via Yamuna Expressway, Sector 21, Sector 20, Salarpur underpass, Dankaur roundabout, Sector 17, Sector 26 and Pari Chowk. Two buses have been approved from Botanical Garden towards Mongli village via Sector 22D, Salarpur underpass, Sector 17 roundabout, Sector 26, Surajpur and the collectorate.

The airport route approvals are separate from Ghaziabad’s 100 electric city bus plan, but both decisions point to growing transport demand in the NCR belt. As new residential, industrial and airport-linked zones expand, public transport agencies are under pressure to provide direct and affordable connections.

KN Chaudhary, regional manager of the transport corporation, said, “A plan has been prepared to operate 100 city buses to strengthen public transport. The Urban Development Department will provide the buses. This will give better facilities to passengers and also strengthen the traffic system.”

The next key step will be the timely delivery, route allocation and maintenance planning for the new electric buses. For Ghaziabad’s daily passengers, the impact will depend on whether the additional fleet reaches crowded and poorly connected areas, and whether services remain regular once operations begin.