AC sleeper buses to operate from Lucknow

LUCKNOW: Lucknow would have had AC sleeper buses running had elections not taken place. The model code of conduct has put the tendering process to procure AC sleeper buses on hold. The process, however, would start soon after elections end and the new type of buses would be added to the existing fleet.

UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), at present, has no sleeper buses in its fleet. The tender has been floated for 20 buses with 36-berth each. "Sleeper buses will be operated for overnight journey and on routes with good roads," said sources. The buses will operate from all the major depots including Lucknow.

From depots in Lucknow, AC sleeper buses might operate to Delhi, Jaipur and Dehradun initially. The single-engine buses will have be designed based on avanced shock-absorbing technology. "Fare structure has not been designed yet," said sources in UPSRTC.

The sleeper buses would have a body bigger than the AC buses running at present. "A normal AC bus costs around Rs 50 lakh but the sleeper AC bus might cost more," said sources.

UPSRTC had introduced AC-sleeper buses in 2006-07. The buses were manufactured and designed in UPSRTC workshop. But the maintenance of double-engine buses was difficult. "Lot of those buses were converted into normal buses for operation. The old buses have been auctioned," said sources.