Bhagwant Mann flagged off 100 new PRTC minibuses in Patiala. The rollout aims to improve rural access while creating transport jobs.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann (Photo: PTI)
Patiala,Oct 26, 2026 21:03 IST
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday flagged off 100 new minibuses and reaffirmed his government's commitment to connecting every village in the state with cities, news agency Press Trust of India reported.
Mann said the buses would strengthen rural connectivity, make daily travel easier and improve access to education, employment and essential services. He also announced that 309 full-size buses would be added to the fleet next month.
Taking a swipe at previous governments for discontinuing village-to-city bus services, Mann said his government was determined to ensure that people were not denied opportunities because of where they lived.
During a media interaction after flagging off the buses in Patiala, Mann said, "Public transport is not merely a means of travelling from one place to another; it is a lifeline for rural communities. Reliable bus services enable students to pursue education, help families access employment opportunities and strengthen the economic and social fabric of villages."
Emphasising his government's commitment to balanced development, he said, "Just as we have ensured that canal water reaches every field, we will ensure that buses reach every village in Punjab. The benefits of development must reach every household, irrespective of whether people live in big cities, small towns or remote villages."
Mann alleged that previous governments had neglected rural transport connectivity, leaving people struggling to travel to cities for work, education and other essential needs. "Our government is determined to reverse this trend and ensure that no one is deprived of opportunities because of where they live," he said.
The 100 new 29-seater minibuses will operate on rural and small-town routes through the nine depots of the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation. The buses have been allocated to depots in Patiala, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Sangrur, Barnala, Budhlada, Kapurthala, Faridkot and Ludhiana, according to PTI.
Mann said the services would make daily travel easier for rural residents commuting to cities for employment, business and other essential activities. School and college students would also benefit from improved connectivity, he added.
Highlighting the expansion of public transport, Mann said, "Another 309 large buses will be added to the fleet next month. Around 3,000 privately operated mini buses are also connecting villages, towns and cities across Punjab. We are continuously strengthening the public transport network to make travel more accessible for people."
The chief minister said the introduction of the 100 minibuses would create jobs for about 150 drivers and conductors. "Our government is committed to combining public welfare with job creation so that investments in public infrastructure also create livelihood opportunities," he said.
Offer letters for transport department jobs were also handed to 15 young people. Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Health Minister Balbir Singh attended the flagging-off event.
In a post on X later, Mann said, "Strengthening Punjab's transport infrastructure, today we added 100 new mini buses to the PRTC fleet in Patiala. These buses will specifically connect our villages with cities, making travel more convenient for rural residents. We also handed over offer letters to 15 young people for jobs in the department. To further improve public transport services, another 309 new full-size buses will be added to the fleet next month."
The addition of the 100 minibuses is aimed at improving links between Punjab's villages and cities, while the planned induction of 309 full-size buses next month will further expand the state's public transport fleet.
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