Bhubaneswar, Sept 12: The Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) is set to expand its electric bus (e-Bus) network, launching services in six additional urban areas across Odisha. This move is part of the broader expansion of the popular ‘Ama Bus’ service, announced during the CRUT’s 50th board meeting today.
The new e-Buses will be introduced in the cities of Keonjhar, Baripada, Angul, Jharsuguda, Berhampur, and Sambalpur. To ensure enhanced commuter safety, all the new buses will be equipped with advanced features such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), according to a statement by the CRUT.
A state-of-the-art depot for the e-Buses will also be established in Samanga, Puri, to support smooth operations in the Pilgrim City.
Currently, CRUT has established an extensive public transportation network with a fleet of 670 Ama Buses, including 290 e-Buses, operating over 1,399 km across 115 routes with nearly 2,099 bus stops. The service now caters to over three lakh commuters daily.
As part of its ongoing digital transformation, CRUT has introduced several initiatives, including the Ama Bus App, ATVMs, the Ama Bus Card, and the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) for Odisha. The authority has also launched a WhatsApp-based ticketing system for greater convenience. Additionally, the state government has introduced online booking for Ama Bus tickets and ferry services in the Chilika Lake area.
