Patna: The second phase of the city bus service from Kargil Chowk to AIIMS started on Saturday with 15 buses put into service for 100 trips a day.

The service, provided by the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation, targets at 5,000 passengers on the route daily.

Transport minister Santosh Kumar Nirala, Phulwarisharif MLA Shyam Rajak, Digha MLA Sanjeev Chourasia, and transport secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal flagged off the buses from Phulwarisharif block at 10am on Saturday.

The buses will stop at Dakbungalow roundabout, Patna Junction, GPO roundabout, R-Block, Sat Murti, old secretariat, Chitkohra, Anisabad, Khoja Imli, Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, Phulwarisharif Chowk and Water and Land Management Institute on its way from and to Kargil Chowk and AIIMS Patna.

The minimum fare commuters will pay is Rs 5 and the maximum Rs 15.

Transport department's secretary Agarwal said it was a long-pending demand of the residents of Phulwarisharif to start this bus service. Earlier, residents had to first catch an auto from Kargil Chowk to Patna Junction for Rs 8, then walk to GPO roundabout and take another auto to Phulwarisharif for Rs 16. To reach AIIMS was required another auto for Rs 10.

"Earlier we used to spend Rs 34 to travel the same distance. The private buses on the route were pathetic and crowded. Only four seats would be reserved for women. But in this city bus launched, 50 per cent of the 32 seats are reserved for women. It has come as a big relief to us," said Phulwarisharif resident Meenakshi Devi, who took the first bus to Kargil Chowk.

Residents who took the private buses paid Rs 16 from Kargil Chowk to Phulwarisharif, and then had to catch the auto to AIIMS.

On May 3, chief minister had launched the first phase of the bus service from Kargil Chowk to Danapur. The daily footfall on that route has already crossed 10,000 and is rising.

With the launch of the second phase, the transport department has started its survey to launch the next phase .

Agarwal said: "This bus service will be helpful for patients going to AIIMS and they can take one bus to their destination, rather than take more options. We have begun surveying for routes where bus service is required. The third phase would possibly be from Kargil Chowk to Patna City via the Mithapur bus stand."

The transport department also felicitated bus drivers and conductors for their excellent work.