The North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) has decided to augment bus services on several routes with 43 new vehicles being added to the government utility's fleet
NBSTC chairman Partha Pratim Roy said on Tuesday that the corporation had received 43 new buses from the Bengal government.
“We got the new buses and the registration process is over. It has been decided that we will launch three buses, each with 55 seats, on the Siliguri-Ranchi route. Around 10 years ago, NBSTC buses used to run on the route which we are reviving now,” said Roy.
As of now, the NBSTC runs buses to Dhubri and Bongaigaon in Assam from north Bengal.
Roy said there was no direct bus service to Darjeeling from Cooch Behar where the NBSTC is headquartered.
“In 2024, we will launch a bus service from Cooch Behar to Darjeeling. It will run thrice a week from both the places. We are expecting a huge response to this service as many people from Cooch Behar and adjoining areas had to reach Siliguri and then arrange transport for Darjeeling. Now, they can avail themselves of a direct service,” said the NBSTC chairman.
Some of the new buses, he said, will run between Calcutta, and Siliguri, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri.
“We will withdraw the existing buses and introduce new buses on these routes. Altogether, nine Rocket buses and three AC buses run on the routes. The introduction of new buses will make the journey more comfortable,” said Roy.
Buses for events
The NBSTC has decided to run special bus services in the wake of various programmes in Cooch Behar and Alipurduar districts.
The Cooch Behar district book fair started on Monday, while the Dooars Utsav, an annual cultural fest, will be held from December 28. From January 2, the Alipurduar district book fair will be held in Falakata.
Hundreds of people swarm these events every day.
“Additional buses will run to and from Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Falakata so that people can visit these places and return home. It has been decided to run buses till 9.30pm on these days,” said Roy.
