Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) recorded more than 1.03 crore QR code-based ticket transactions across its bus network between April 2025 and May 2026, generating revenue exceeding ₹112.45 crore and signalling a decisive shift toward cashless travel in the state's public transport system.

Key Developments

Monthly QR payment volumes surged from 4.6 lakh transactions in April 2025 to over 17.34 lakh in May 2026 — a near fourfold rise in thirteen months. The corporation is now generating an average monthly revenue of ₹19.37 crore through digital fare payments alone.

GSRTC has deployed 10,500 new electronic ticketing machines (e-BTMs) equipped with QR code readers across 125 depots under its 16 divisions, according to GSRTC Public Relations Officer Shraddha Bhatt.

From Premium to All Services

The QR payment facility was initially rolled out on premium bus routes before being extended to all GSRTC services and depots, following what the corporation described as a 'favourable response' from passengers. The move eliminates a long-standing friction point: passengers no longer need exact change, and conductors spend less time on cash reconciliation.

'The QR code payment facility, which was initially introduced in premium bus services, has now been extended to all GSRTC services and depots following a favourable response from passengers,' Bhatt said. She added that 'reduced cash handling has improved transparency in operations and saved time and effort for conductors.'

Online Booking Expands to Local Routes

Beyond digital payments, GSRTC has widened its online reservation network to cover approximately 2,500 local bus trips serving distances of more than 100 kilometres. Previously, advance booking was largely confined to premium and select long-distance services. The expansion is expected to particularly benefit passengers in rural and remote areas who can now reserve seats without travelling to a bus station.

Occupancy and Trip Data

During the first six months of 2026, GSRTC operated 39,372 premium and non-premium trips. Demand held firm through the summer travel season: premium air-conditioned services recorded an occupancy rate of 78.85% in May 2026, while Volvo services posted booking rates of 50% in April and 57.81% in May. Non-premium sleeper buses averaged a booking rate of 77.53% across the six-month period.

What This Means for Gujarat's Public Transport

GSRTC's digital push reflects a broader national trend of integrating UPI and QR-based payments into state transport utilities, a shift accelerated by post-pandemic behavioural changes and government mandates on cashless transactions. This is among the more comprehensive state-bus digitisation efforts in India, both in scale of deployment and revenue impact. The corporation has indicated that expanding digital access forms part of a wider modernisation agenda aimed at improving both passenger convenience and operational accountability across Gujarat.