The North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) has decided to increase bus services on several routes with the induction of 43 new vehicles in the fleet of the government utility.
NBSTC Chairman Partha Pratim Roy on Tuesday said the corporation has received 43 new buses from the Bengal government.
“We got new buses and the registration process has been completed. It has been decided that we will run three 55-seater buses on the Siliguri-Ranchi route. About 10 years ago, NBSTC buses used to ply on the route which we are reviving now,” said Roy.
As of now, NBSTC runs buses from North Bengal to Dhubri and Bongaigaon in Assam.
Roy said there is no direct bus service to Darjeeling from Cooch Behar, where the NBSTC is headquartered.
“In 2024, we will start a bus service from Cooch Behar to Darjeeling. It will run three days a week from both the locations. We are expecting a huge response to this service as many people from Cooch Behar and surrounding areas had to reach Siliguri and then arrange transportation to Darjeeling. Now, they can avail direct service,” said the NBSTC chairman.
He said that some new buses will run between Calcutta and Siliguri, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri.
“We will withdraw the existing buses and run new buses on these routes. In total, nine rocket buses and three AC buses operate on the routes. With the arrival of new buses, travel will become more comfortable,” Roy said.
buses for events
NBSTC has decided to run special bus services in view of various programs in Cooch Behar and Alipurduar districts.
The Cooch Behar District Book Fair began on Monday, while the Dooars Utsav, an annual cultural festival, will be held from December 28. From January 2, Alipurduar District Book Fair will be held in Falakata.
Hundreds of people gather in these events every day.
“Additional buses will run to Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Falakata so that people can visit these places and return home. It has been decided to run buses till 9.30 pm these days,” Roy said.
