Transport, information and public services minister Brishen Patel (second from left) at the inauguration of Nagar Bus Seva by BSRTC. Picture by Prakash Kumar

Muzaffarpur, Aug. 1: The city bus service was launched here today at a function organised on the premises of Bihar State Roadways Transport Corporation.

Launching the service, transport minister Brishen Patel said 20 buses would ply on different routes and other towns, too, would soon be provided with this facility.

According to sources, the transport department is mulling to broaden the services of city buses. After launching the bus service in the divisional towns, the department would introduce it in other towns.

Sources said the department had decided to start the service on 40 routes of the district under a public-private-partnership. The aim is to provide transportation at subsidised rates. The minimum fare for a distance of 1km is Rs 2, while the highest fare stands at Rs 10 for 20km.

The 32-seat buses painted in red, blue, yellow and green set out for their destinations after the launch. Patel asked the divisional manager of Muzaffarpur Roadway Transport Corporation, S.N. Singh, to put up a display board of the routes as well as the fares.

In the first phase, 20 buses would ply at an interval of 30 minutes on routes such as Muzaffarpur Transport Office to Kanti Nagar Panchayat, Muzaffarpur Transport Office to Pokhraira in Saraiya block and Muzaffarpur Transport Office to Balia en route to Muzaffarpur Station Road.

The buses would also ply from Khudiram Bose Memorial Central Jail Chowk to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital roundabout, Neora in Minapur to Khudiram Bose Memorial Central Jail roundabout, Muzaffarpur railway station to Badka Gaon via Imlichatti and others. These buses will move within a radius of 20km.

Later, 20 more buses would be added to the fleet according to a proposal. The department would thereafter broaden the radius of the city bus service to 40km. The corporation is also contemplating to introduce 500 new buses within a year.

Sources said a Volvo bus would soon ply from Muzaffarpur to Patna. The BJP MLAs Suresh Sharma, Veena Devi, Ram Surat Rai and former JD(U) MLA Arun Kumar Singh were present on the occasion.