HRTC to Resume Volvo Bus Services on Delhi Route; 24 New Euro-6 Buses to Arrive in Shimla: Ajay Verma

Mandi, June 18:
In a major development for inter-state transport, Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) is set to resume its Volvo bus services on the Delhi route, which were suspended due to rising pollution concerns and the phasing out of older Euro-4 models. HRTC Vice Chairman Ajay Verma announced that 24 brand-new Euro-6 Volvo buses will arrive in Shimla within the next 15 days. Drivers have already been dispatched to Bengaluru to bring the buses to Himachal.

Addressing a press conference in Mandi, Verma said these buses are equipped with the latest technology and meet the strict emission norms, ensuring hassle-free operation in Delhi and other states. He also criticized the previous BJP-led state government for failing to invest in new buses during its tenure, leading to a significant portion of HRTC’s fleet becoming outdated.

Currently, HRTC operates a fleet of approximately 3,200 buses across the state. The addition of these Euro-6 Volvos is expected to greatly improve the corporation’s services and reliability.

Verma also revealed that around 300 electric buses will be added to the HRTC fleet within the next 11 months, replacing nearly 400 aging buses. These new electric buses will be maintained by the manufacturing company itself for up to 12 years, reducing maintenance costs and eliminating the need for additional technical staff.

He noted that the base cost of an electric bus without AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) is ₹1.3 crore, while with AMC included, the price comes to around ₹1.75 crore. This investment, he emphasized, will not only modernize public transport but also make it more sustainable and cost-effective in the long run.