The Himachal Road Transport Corporation, commonly known as HRTC, started during independence and was jointly formed by the state of Punjab and the Railway department of India. It was known as Mandi-Kullu Road Transport Corporation. It operated in both Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Later, in 1974, the Himachal Government Transport was merged with Mandi-Kullu Road Transport Corporation and was named Himachal Road Transport Corporation or HRTC. HRTC is headquartered in Shimla. HRTC booking can be easily made on the redBus website or app.
HRTC has made connectivity via roads a dream come true for the cities in north India. Better roads were built for the smooth running of buses and cars. At present, the HRTC buses operate on almost 2,850 routes. HRTC online booking can be made using the redBus app if you want to travel to cities served by these buses. HRTC booking can be made online and offline, but HRTC online booking saves a lot of time.
Amenities on HRTC buses
HRTC buses are well-equipped with all kinds of amenities. The convenience of first aid kits, etc, can be availed by all passengers irrespective of the class of bus they are travelling with. Some services are optional and can be chosen by the passenger while booking the Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus. Also, the fare would increase depending on the facilities you want to have while travelling. Different amenities provided in an HRTC bus are:
- Water-Bottles
- Pillows
- First Aid Kits
- Snacks
- Air-Conditioners
- Televisions
- Charging points
- Hand rest
If you opt for HRTC online booking, you can look at all the amenities a bus would provide and then book tickets accordingly. HRTC's booking service is quite transparent. You can decide on what you want and then book tickets. HRTC bus tickets can also be booked 60 days before the day of the journey.
Popular Travel Routes Covered by HRTC
HRTC owns a giant fleet of buses. It has about 3,100 buses as part of its fleet. Also, these buses are usually full as they operate on busy routes. HRTC is also planning on extending the number of routes within the state in a phased manner. Therefore, it is advised to make the HRTC booking well in advance. With HRTC online booking, you can view HRTC bus timing and schedules of different buses and then make a choice. Listed below are some of the most popular routes covered by HRTC buses.
Over 3,000 routes are covered by HRTC buses. You can pick the route and make an HRTC online booking on the redBus app. HRTC bus tickets can be easily booked in advance by using the redBus website or app.
Types of HRTC Buses
Owing to its huge fleet, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation has different types of buses as a part of its fleet. You can make an HRTC booking after weighing in all of your options. These buses serve a wide range of audiences. Therefore, these buses need to be affordable. Extra features can be availed, and a bus with better amenities can be booked depending on your budget. The different kinds of buses operated by HRTC are:
- Volvo Buses
- Deluxe Buses
- Himsuta AC Volvo/Scania 2+2
- Semi-Deluxe Buses
- Ordinary Buses
- A/C Sleeper Buses
- Seater Buses
- Non-AC Sleeper buses
- Electric buses
You can visit the redBus app and select from these buses based on your preferences.
Popular Cities Covered by HRTC Buses
HRTC buses cover almost all routes in Northern India. Additionally, Himachal Pradesh has a lot of hill stations and is a very cool place. As a result, the audience never changes throughout the year and only becomes slightly bigger around the holidays. Popular cities that HRTC covers include:
- Kullu
- Manali
- Kangra
- Dharamshala
- Chamba
- Delhi
- Shimla
- Chandigarh
- Mandi
- Bilaspur
- Ambala
If you are planning to travel to any of the cities in Himachal Pradesh, you can book the online HRTC bus ticket via redBus without standing in long queues. You can also see the HRTC bus timings, Via routes, and day and night buses based on your preference.
Popular Pilgrimage Destinations with HRTC
HRTC operates buses to several religious locations, making it ideal for budget travel. HRTC is the most economical option to reach several pilgrimage destinations in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, etc. Choose HRCT to travel to:
- Gangotri
- Hamirpur
- Haridwar
- Kangra
- Katra Vaishnodevi
- Mathura
- Rishikesh
You can view your tickets by clicking on the “My bookings” section. It is advised to print your e-tickets before your journey. Also, carry ID proof.
Special Tour Packages of HRTC
HRTC does not arrange for any special tour packages. The tour packages are arranged by HPTDC (Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation).
HRTC Bus Pass Info
- Smart Card is available for INR 50 and offers a 10% discount on HRTC buses. Valid for 2 years and available for the general public.
- The green card is available at INR 50, allowing a 50% discount for bus routes operating within 50 km of the place from where the card is issued. It also has a validity of 2 years.
- Samman card is an exclusive scheme for senior citizens. The card is available at INR 50 and is valid for one year. The car holders can get a 50% discount on all HRTC buses except the luxury AC buses.
