Jamshedpur: A 36-seater Tata Starbus was introduced on Friday to ferry passengers between Jamshedpur and Chakulia in Ghatshila sub-division, a distance of about 75km, as a part of the East Singhbhum district's rural bus service initiative.

The new bus, manufactured by Tata Motors, began its journey from Sakchi at 12.30pm after it was flagged off from the deputy commissioner's office in the presence of district transport officer (DTO) Ravi Ranjan Kumar and others.

On its maiden journey, with four passengers on board, the bus covered the distance six hours with stops at over 12 places including Jadugora, Rakha Mines, Surda, Moubhandar, Phuldungri, Dhalbhumgarh and Baharagora.

From Saturday, the bus will leave for Chakulia at 1pm from the Sitaramdera bus terminus. It will begin its return journey from Chakulia the next day at 7am.

"The bus service is an attempt to create employment, boost community development and build a strong network that will ensure the participation of people from various sections of society. Women, scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) would get special preference for operating them under the scheme," DTO Kumar told The Telegraph.

He said those opting for the scheme would get concessions in obtaining road permits and paying road tax.

"Usually Rs 6,000 is required for availing of a road permit for buses and another Rs 22,000 for road tax. But the beneficiaries under the rural bus service scheme will have to pay Re 1 for getting a permit. The road permit will be valid for five years," he said.

Jhuma Datta, Kadma homemaker Jhuma Datta, who took a loan to buy the bus that was introduced on Friday, said, "I availed of the loan under the Stand up India plan. The bus costs Rs 25 lakh,."

Commuters were happy. "I usually travel between Chakulia and Jamshedpur by local train. But now I have an option of taking the bus for a fee of Rs 75," said Haradhan Mahato of Chakulia, who is garment wholesaler.