Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s transition to electric buses is not only reducing emissions but also transforming the working conditions of public transport drivers, with many reporting better health, greater comfort and improved work-life balance after switching from diesel vehicles.
Drivers who spent decades operating diesel buses and trucks say fixed eight-hour shifts, air-conditioned cabins and gearless electric buses have significantly reduced the physical strain associated with long-distance driving.
Ramram Mishra, a 48-year-old driver with the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), said the transition to electric buses has made a noticeable difference after nearly three decades behind the wheel. Having developed problems in his left leg from years of operating clutch-based diesel buses, he now finds driving gearless e-buses far less demanding.
Mishra also highlighted the comfort of air-conditioned cabins, the absence of engine noise and exhaust fumes, and shorter, fixed routes that have replaced the long-distance journeys of up to 500 kilometres he previously undertook.
Odisha introduced its first fleet of electric buses in July 2022 under the then Mo Bus service, now rebranded as AMA Bus. The initiative was launched as part of the Odisha Electric Vehicle Policy, 2021, aimed at accelerating the adoption of clean public transport.
According to state transport officials, nearly 20 per cent of the state’s bus fleet has been electrified so far. The upcoming revised EV policy is expected to target electrification of 50 per cent of buses by 2029, 70 per cent by 2036 and 80 per cent by 2047.
The state currently operates around 450 electric buses across Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri, making Odisha one of India’s leading adopters of electric public transport. The government has also placed orders for an additional 450 e-buses and plans to expand services to Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Berhampur and Angul.
To support the growing fleet, the state is expanding charging infrastructure through public-private partnerships, with 100 public charging stations planned across municipal areas and additional facilities under the Atal Bus Stand Scheme.
Former truck driver Dharmanand Polley, who recently joined AMA Bus, said the move has enabled him to remain closer to his family while benefiting from predictable duty hours and improved working conditions.
Officials say the expansion of Odisha’s electric bus network is expected to enhance passenger services, reduce pollution and improve the quality of life for drivers, while supporting the state’s long-term sustainable transport goals.
-OdishaAge
