As many as 70 new city non-ac buses and 7 ac buses have started running in Patna. For all there who do not know Patna, it is a very big news for the city and those who love it (like me).
As far as I remember, Patna still has those over-crowded yellow mini buses. When I used to live there, those buses mainly used to run between Patna Junction and Danapur Junction. And they used to charge 3-4 rupees form Ashiana Mor to Saguna Mor (where my school was). Just for your information, I used to live in Khajpura...and now dont ask me where is this place. All those who know Patna, know Khajpura too. Though it is not a very popular place, but still known by all.
Now back to the news...The new buses have GPS, emergency alarm button, inbuilt fire extinguisher, electronic ticketing machine, music system etc.
The fare of non-AC buses are between Rs 3 and Rs 10.
From 5th August 2011, seven 36-seater AC buses (maroon-coloured Marco Polo buses of Tata Motors) have joined the fleet of existing 70 non-AC city buses. The fares of AC buses are Rs 10, Rs 15 and Rs 30, depending upon the distance travelled.
The non-AC buses ply between 5 am and 11 pm. AC buses plybetween 8 am and 8 pm with a frequency of one-and-a-half hour.
Route Information:
Route #1 (Red Buses, total 12+4): Starting from Gandhi Maidan to Khagaul, via Patna Junction, R-block, Harding Road, Chitkohra and Phulwarisharif.
Route #2 (Blue Buses, total 18): Starting from Gandhi Maidan to Danapur, via Frazer Road, Patna Junction, GPO, R-Block, Income-Tax roundabout, Bailey Road and Saguna Mor.
3 AC buses ply on this route.
Route #3 (Green Buses, total 12): Starting from Gandhi Maidan to Danapur, via Rajapur, Kurji and Digha.
Route #4 (Yellow Buses, total 4): Starting from Gandhi Maidan to Gai Ghat, via PMCH and Tripolia Hospital.
2 AC buses ply on this route.
Route #5 (Orange Buses, total 6): Ring Service from Mithapur Bus stand, via New Bypass, Pahari Mor, Agam Kuan, Kumhrar Park, Bahadurpur, Rajendra Nagar terminal and Chiraiyatand.
Route #6 (Purple Buses, total 6): Ring Service from Gandhi Maidan, via Rajapur, Kurji, St. Michael's School, Alpana Cinema Mor, IAS Colony, Ashiana Mor, Bailey Road, Income-Tax roundabout and Patna Junction.
Route #7 (Sky Blue Buses, total 12+4): Ring Service from Gandhi Maidan, via Rajapur, Kurji, IIT, Patliputra roundabout, A N College, Boring Road crossing, Bailey Road, Income-Tax roundabout and Patna Junction.
2 AC buses ply on this route.
Ladies Special / Family Buses (Pink Buses, total 15): Operate on all the routes after every 1 hour; Males accompanying women are allowed to travel on these. As the govt is incurring losses, it is planning to discontinue this service.
Patna is now turning into a 'City'. After Domino's starting operations in Patna, Cafe Coffee Day has now started at Regent Cinema, near Gandhi Maidan, Patna. Whenever I visit Patna, I usually hangout at Hotel Maurya's cafe to have coffee and spend time with my childhood friends. Though Maurya is a 5-start hotel, they just keep only a few varieties of coffee there. I hope with Cafe Coffee Day opening in Patna, I would have a variety of coffee (my favourite being Latte - king size) there.
