Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Thursday inaugurated a shuttle bus service from the Old Bus Stand in Shimla to the Jubbarhatti Airport.

While inaugurating various services of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) at the Old Bus Stand, Agnihotri, who holds the transport portfolio, said that this facility has been started by the HRTC in collaboration with the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department.

The fare for this shuttle bus service has been fixed Rs 200 per passenger.

The bus will start from the Old Bus Stand in Shimla at 6:30 am and reach the Jubbarhatti Airport at 7:30 am. On its return journey, it will leave the Jubbarhatti Airport at 8:30 am and arrive at the Old Bus Stand in Shimla at 9:15 am.

Similarly, the second round trip will commence from the Old Bus Stand in Shimla at 10:45 am and arrive at the Jubbarhatti Airport at 11:45 am. On its return journey, the bus will leave the Jubbarhatti Airport at 12 noon and arrive at the Old Bus Stand in Shimla at 01:00 pm.

The HRTC will consider running additional shuttle service as and when the number of flights increases, Agnihotri said, adding that the schedule of the buses can be changed according to the arrival and departure time of the flights.

“This facility is part of the commitment under which the state government had assured that bus facilities will be provided to temples, hospitals and airports,” he said.

While inaugurating the cashless ticketing system of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation, he said that at present this facility will be available in three districts, including Shimla, Hamirpur and Una.

Soon this facility will be started in the entire state, he said, adding that an agreement has been signed between the HRTC and the State Bank of India for this facility.

“Under this facility, passengers will now be able to buy tickets through credit card, debit card or UPI. This eliminates the inconvenience of carrying exact change for bus fares and minimises chances of disputes between passengers and conductors over change,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister himself purchased the bus ticket through a cashless system and also travelled in an electric bus to the state Secretariat.

He also announced the release of 4 per cent daily allowance for the HRTC employees and instructed the Managing Director of the corporation to implement it before the Model Code of Conduct is enforced.

Agnihotri also launched the online bus pass facility for college students on the occasion.