India, Jan. 14 -- The Punjab government has approved a large-scale expansion of its state-run public transport system, with the induction of 1,279 additional buses into the fleets of Punjab State Bus Stand Management Company Limited (PUNBUS) and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC). The decision is aimed at improving connectivity between rural and urban areas, addressing route gaps, and strengthening the reliability of government-operated bus services across the state.

At present, 2,267 buses operate under the Punjab government, of which 1,119 are managed by PUNBUS. The approved expansion will be carried out through a combination of direct procurement and the kilometre scheme, a model that allows the government to expand services whil...