Workshop on Strengthening Bus Operations in Small and Medium Cities of Gujarat

A workshop was organised for city bus officials from across Gujarat to strengthen bus operations in small and medium cities under the PM e-Bus Sewa and CM Urban Bus Service Schemes. The workshop focused on improving public transport efficiency through the SPV framework and modern fare collection systems.

Held at the Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (GIDM), it was organised by Gujarat Urban Development Institute (GUDI), Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM), Urban Development & Urban Housing Department, Government of Gujarat, in collaboration with CRDF, CEPT University serving as the Technical Support Unit (TSU).

The TSU introduced the schemes and their progress in Gujarat, highlighting the need for an SPV or dedicated transport department to manage city bus operations effectively. A detailed process for setting up SPVs—including roles, responsibilities, and core functions such as planning, operator contracting, performance monitoring, and service quality—was discussed. The importance of efficient fare collection systems, clear agency roles, and transparent contracts was also emphasised. Representatives from Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot shared their experiences of implementing the SPV framework, followed by an engaging Q&A session.

The event brought together 45 participants from 16 cities, including Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, and nine newly upgraded municipal corporations. 

Watch what participants had to say about the workshop and its relevance here.

Learn more about the project here.