GSRTC to run 6,500 extra bus trips for Raksha Bandhan; 101 new buses flagged off
Synopsis
GSRTC is scaling up its Raksha Bandhan operations to 6,500 extra trips — more than last year's 6,402 — while simultaneously inducting 101 new buses into its fleet. The dual move signals Gujarat's push to modernise state transport even as it manages peak festival demand across pilgrim and urban corridors.
Key Takeaways
GSRTC will run 6,500 additional bus trips from 26 to 30 August for the Raksha Bandhan festival.
Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi flagged off 101 new ST buses — comprising 71 Super Express , 20 Midi , and 10 Sleeper Coach — from Gandhinagar on Wednesday.
Special routes cover Ahmedabad , Surat , Vadodara , Rajkot , and pilgrimage centres Ambaji , Pavagadh , and Somnath .
Last year, GSRTC operated 6,402 extra trips and carried around 3.33 lakh passengers during the same festival period.
Advance booking is available online and at all ST depots for the five-day window.
The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) will operate approximately 6,500 additional bus trips across the state between 26 and 30 August to handle the anticipated surge in passenger demand during the Raksha Bandhan festival. The announcement coincided with Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi flagging off 101 newly inducted ST buses from Gandhinagar on Wednesday.
Fleet Induction Details
The 101 new buses comprise 71 Super Express, 20 Midi, and 10 Sleeper Coach buses. These vehicles will be deployed as part of the special festival arrangements, reinforcing the corporation's regular fleet on high-demand corridors.
Key Routes and Special Services
Special services have been planned on routes linking major urban centres — Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot — as well as prominent pilgrimage destinations including Ambaji, Pavagadh, and Somnath. Advance booking is available both online and at ST depots to help passengers plan ahead of the festival rush.
Year-on-Year Comparison
During last year's Raksha Bandhan period, GSRTC operated 6,402 additional trips, carrying around 3.33 lakh passengers. This year's target of 6,500 extra trips represents a modest but deliberate increase, reflecting the corporation's expectation of higher footfall in 2025.
What the Government Said
Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia, speaking at the flag-off event, said the induction of the 101 buses was part of efforts under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi to provide 'convenient, safe and comfortable public transport for citizens, employees and students.' He added that 'special bus services had been introduced on new routes ahead of Raksha Bandhan to make travel easier for people travelling from different parts of Gujarat.'
In a symbolic gesture during the programme, women conductors of the ST Corporation tied a rakhi to Sanghavi as an advance celebration of the festival. Sanghavi inspected one of the newly launched buses and congratulated GSRTC employees for maintaining round-the-clock services during festivals, when many transport staff remain on duty while passengers travel home.
What Passengers Should Know
The corporation has urged passengers to utilise advance booking facilities — available online and at ST depots — during the five-day window from 26 to 30 August. Early booking is particularly advisable on the Ahmedabad–Surat and Rajkot–Somnath corridors, which historically see the steepest demand spikes around Raksha Bandhan. With the new fleet additions and expanded trip count, GSRTC is positioning itself to move more passengers than in any previous Raksha Bandhan cycle.
Point of View
402-trip push carried 3.33 lakh passengers — a creditable number, but one that also implies average loads that stress ageing infrastructure. The addition of Sleeper Coaches on a short festival window is an interesting premium play; whether it translates into actual ridership or sits underutilised will tell us whether GSRTC understands its own demand curve. Gujarat's pilgrim-route dependency also means any operational hiccup on the Somnath or Ambaji corridors will be felt disproportionately.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many extra bus trips will GSRTC run for Raksha Bandhan 2025?
GSRTC will operate around 6,500 additional bus trips between 26 and 30 August 2025 to meet festival demand. This is slightly higher than the 6,402 extra trips run during last year's Raksha Bandhan period.
What are the 101 new buses flagged off by Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi?
The 101 newly inducted ST buses comprise 71 Super Express, 20 Midi, and 10 Sleeper Coach buses. They were flagged off from Gandhinagar on 26 August and will be deployed as part of the Raksha Bandhan special arrangements.
Which routes have special Raksha Bandhan bus services in Gujarat?
Special services are planned on routes connecting Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot, as well as pilgrimage destinations including Ambaji, Pavagadh, and Somnath. Advance booking is available online and at ST depots.
How many passengers did GSRTC carry during Raksha Bandhan last year?
During the Raksha Bandhan period in 2024, GSRTC operated 6,402 additional trips and carried approximately 3.33 lakh passengers across Gujarat.
How can passengers book tickets for the GSRTC Raksha Bandhan special services?
Passengers can book tickets online or at any ST depot across Gujarat. The corporation has urged travellers to use advance booking facilities to secure seats during the five-day festival window from 26 to 30 August.
