Kolkata: The state govt-backed app Yatri Sathi is set to launch five new air-conditioned shuttle bus routes.The expansion scales the platform’s shuttle network to 12 routes, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and key suburban belts with the IT hubs of Sector V and New Town. The five routes launching this week will link Hanskhali, Santragachhi, Bijaygarh, Jadavpur, and Baruipur directly with New Town via EM Bypass. Seven routes currently connect Barrackpore, Barasat, Serampore, Naihati, and Bally to Sector V, alongside Sonarpur and Tikiapara to New Town.To encourage ridership, the pricing model features an introductory rate of Rs 39 for a passenger’s first trip, after which regular rides are capped at a flat Rs 69. The platform also plans to roll out weekly and monthly commuter passes next week.The state operator plans to take the network to 15 routes by Sept end. Daily trips will increase from the current 35 to 50 by the end of the month and are set to reach 150 by end of Sept. The target is to reach at least 300 daily trips by Dec, with the operator considering increasing the number to 400 depending on demand.Transport officials confirmed that Behala and Joka are targeted as the next expansion sectors.
