Gandhinagar's PM eBus Sewa electric bus service ferried 1,53,509 passengers in its first 14 days of operation, with daily ridership climbing to an average of nearly 11,000 commuters, according to figures released by the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation (GMC). The service, which launched on 29 June 2025, is part of a broader push to shift the Gujarat state capital toward cleaner, affordable public transport.

Ridership Numbers at a Glance

The data covers the period from 29 June to 12 July 2025, during which 1,53,509 commuters boarded the air-conditioned electric buses. Daily footfall started at 6,120 passengers on the inaugural day before climbing steadily, hitting a single-day peak of 13,615 passengers on 11 July. The upward trajectory suggests growing public confidence in the service, a pattern commonly seen in new urban transit launches once word-of-mouth builds.

Routes and Connectivity

The buses serve key nodes across Gandhinagar and its satellite towns, linking Sargasan Circle, Pathikashram Terminal, and the Secretariat, while also connecting Kalol, Kadi, Dahegam, Chiloda, and Chandkheda. Notably, the routes cover IIT Gandhinagar and Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU), reducing travel time for students by eliminating the need for multiple transfers — a practical benefit that is likely driving repeat ridership among the student demographic.

What Commuters Are Saying

Regular commuter Niyati Trivedi, who travels between Dhamasana and Sargasan, said the service has meaningfully improved her daily routine. 'This bus service launched by GMC is very convenient for passengers. The bus fare has been kept very affordable, so it does not impose a financial burden on common citizens and students. Since the bus is fully air-conditioned, travelling remains extremely comfortable even during the summer heat. The bus is equipped with CCTV cameras, due to which girls and women travelling on the bus feel completely safe,' she said.

Key Features and the Free Travel Push

Each bus is fitted with air conditioning and CCTV cameras, addressing two persistent concerns for urban commuters — summer heat and passenger safety, particularly for women. To seed adoption, the GMC introduced a 15-day free travel period at launch, during which thousands of residents reportedly chose to leave private vehicles at home. Officials said the comparatively lower fares have eased commuting costs for middle-class families and students, and that the growing uptake is expected to reduce dependence on private vehicles in the state capital.

Broader Significance

The PM eBus Sewa rollout in Gandhinagar is part of a national programme to electrify urban bus fleets across Indian cities. For a city like Gandhinagar — home to government offices, universities, and a rapidly expanding residential footprint — reliable last-mile connectivity has long been a gap. If ridership sustains its current growth curve, the GMC may be positioned to expand the fleet and routes in the coming months. The coming weeks, once the free-travel incentive fades, will be the real test of whether the service has built a loyal commuter base.