Uttarakhand: AC Sleeper Bus Service: Good News for Passengers traveling long distances from Uttarakhand can now look forward to a more comfortable and relaxing journey to Jaipur. The Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) is all set to introduce air-conditioned (AC) sleeper coach buses for the first time, starting with key routes including Dehradun to Jaipur and Kanpur. This marks a significant upgrade in travel facilities for commuters who prefer to travel overnight in comfort.
According to a report by Jagran.com, UTC will initially sign contracts for six AC sleeper buses. Out of these, four buses will operate on the Dehradun–Kanpur and Dehradun–Jaipur routes, while the remaining two will run from Haldwani to Jaipur. Alongside the sleeper buses, UTC is also planning to roll out AC deluxe buses for other major cities such as Delhi, Agra, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Lucknow.
By offering this upgraded service at a lower fare, UTC also aims to counter the growing presence of illegal private buses operating on these routes. Many of these unregulated services offer lower fares but often compromise on safety and comfort. The government’s move not only offers an improved travel experience but also addresses the competition posed by private operators.
Currently, UTC operates super deluxe Volvo buses on limited routes such as Delhi, Gurugram, Chandigarh, and Katra. However, the high fare ranging from two-and-a-half to three times the cost of regular buses has made them unaffordable for many passengers. In the past, the corporation also ran Janrath AC buses (with a 3×2 seating arrangement) to Delhi, but this service was discontinued about five years ago after contracts ended.
Pawan Mehra, General Manager (Operations) at UTC, confirmed that tenders have been issued for 18 buses in total. “Six of these are AC sleeper buses that will run on Jaipur and Kanpur routes, while 12 AC deluxe buses will serve cities like Delhi and Agra,” he said. He added that if these services perform well, the number of buses may be increased in the future.