Technical Support for Implementation of PM E-Bus Sewa and CMUBS Schemes in Gujarat

The Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM), Government of Gujarat, has engaged CEPT Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) as the Technical Support Unit (TSU) to support the implementation of the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme and Chief Minister's Urban Bus Service (CMUBS) Scheme across selected cities in Gujarat. The primary objective of the TSU is to enhance the viability of public transport by increasing the fleet size and serving as the technical coordination unit among national, state, and city-level authorities. 

Under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, the TSU supports six eligible cities—Bhavnagar, Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Rajkot, and Vadodara—by coordinating the preparation of DPRs/proposals and assisting GUDM in reviewing and consolidating them to access central assistance. The support includes guidance on route planning, fleet sizing, depot locations, depot & charging infrastructure planning, fare fixation, and performance monitoring through key performance indicators (KPIs). The TSU also facilitates the institutionalisation and capacity building of transit agencies, and supports the implementation of Intelligent Transport Management Systems (ITMS) and Automatic Fare Collection Systems (AFCS) under the Green Urban Mobility Initiatives (GUMI) segment of the policy.

Under the CMUBS Scheme, the TSU provides technical support to nine new Municipal Corporations and around twenty Municipalities in Gujarat. It coordinates with these cities for the preparation of e-bus procurement proposals and offers guidance on fleet planning, operational strategies, route alignment, depot siting, and supporting infrastructure. The TSU assists GUDM in reviewing these proposals to avail Viability Gap Funding (VGF) from the Government of Gujarat and ensures adherence to the scheme requirements. Additionally, it supports the implementation and monitoring of bus operations and assists GUDM in accessing central funds for transport studies such as Comprehensive Mobility Plans and Service and Business Plans for the project cities.