Shillong, June 9: For a city struggling with traffic congestion and growing vehicle numbers, the launch of five electric buses on Tuesday was about much more than adding new vehicles to the roads.
It marked the beginning of Shillong’s transition towards cleaner and more reliable public transport.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma flagged off the first fleet of electric buses under the PM eBus Sewa Scheme, describing the initiative as part of a larger plan to reduce congestion, improve mobility and encourage residents to shift from private vehicles to public transport.
The air-conditioned, zero-emission buses are capable of travelling up to 200 kilometres on a single charge and are equipped with wheelchair access, digital ticketing systems and GPS-enabled operations.
While only five buses have been introduced in the first phase, officials revealed that Shillong has been sanctioned a total of 50 electric buses under the scheme. Combined with the city’s growing diesel bus fleet, authorities expect nearly 150 buses to be operating on fixed schedules within the next six months.
The numbers suggest the strategy is already gaining traction.
According to the Urban Affairs Department, daily ridership on Shillong’s newly introduced bus services has grown from around 300 passengers at launch to nearly 3,000 passengers a day within months. With the expanded network, the government expects public transport to eventually serve around 60,000 commuters daily.
“The objective is not simply to run buses. The objective is to create a system that is safe, reliable, predictable and accessible for citizens,” Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said.
Officials believe that building confidence in public transport will be critical to tackling Shillong’s chronic traffic challenges.
For commuters, the arrival of electric buses represents a cleaner and quieter travel option. For the city, it signals a broader shift towards sustainable mobility.
The buses may be few in number today, but they are carrying a much larger ambition: a future where Shillong moves more people, with fewer vehicles and lower emissions.
