HRTC to add 300 buses to fleet every year: Minister

Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) would add 300 buses every year to its fleet for next few years to strengthen and expand transport services in the state, Transport Minister G S Bali said today.
The new buses would replace the old ones in a phased manner to ensure qualitative and demand based transport facility to people, he added.
Bali, who was briefing the media after presiding over the meeting of Governing Body of HRTC, said 20 new Volvo buses would be plied to connect all the famous places of worship in the state.
Orders have already been placed for purchase of 50 new AC buses which would be operated within and outside the state with just 15 per cent extra fare, he added.

As many as 471 fully built buses had already been purchased and 44 more buses were likely to join the fleet soon, he said.
The Minister said road safety was a major concern of the state government and as such state transport would enhance number and capacity of fitness centres from 7 to 27 in the state.
Bali said HRTC had earned a cumulative increase of Rs 107 crore this year and Rs 63 crore had been released for upgradation of all workshops while Rs 1.10 crore has been earmarked for 12 bus stands in the state.