Bhubaneswar, May 16: In a significant push towards sustainable and eco-friendly urban transport, the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) will soon roll out three hydrogen fuel cell buses in Odisha.
The initiative is being implemented under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with GRIDCO and NTPC, marking a major milestone in green mobility.
At present, CRUT operates a fleet of 560 "Mo Bus" vehicles, comprising 380 diesel and 180 electric buses. These run across 106 routes, connecting the Capital Region, Rourkela, Berhampur, and Sambalpur, and serve lakhs of daily commuters with affordable and reliable urban transportation.
Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development Minister, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, on Thursday conducted a review of the state’s ongoing urban mobility projects.
The review emphasised infrastructure development, expansion of services to eight more towns, and the acceleration of digital initiatives aimed at improving commuter experience.
CRUT Managing Director Dr. N. Thirumala Naik presented detailed plans for the proposed expansion. In the first phase, city bus services will be launched in Keonjhar, Baripada, Angul, and Jharsuguda, extending public transport access to more regions.
Highlighting the need for efficient revenue management, Dr. Mahapatra underscored the importance of curbing ticketless travel. He proposed the implementation of Key Performance Indicator (KPI)-based incentive schemes for bus crew members, which would be tied to commuter feedback to enhance service quality.
The Minister also reviewed CRUT's ongoing digitisation efforts. Aiming for a 50 percent adoption rate by the end of the year, he directed officials to boost digital transactions across services.
A range of tech-driven initiatives were discussed during the meeting. These include the expansion of the Digital Pass system to more cities, the introduction of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) for seamless intercity travel, and the launch of ticket booking services via WhatsApp to improve accessibility. Additionally, all buses will be equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to strengthen safety and operational efficiency.
The introduction of hydrogen fuel cell buses, coupled with ongoing electrification and digital transformation, signifies Odisha’s commitment to building a cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive urban transport network.
