The PM e-Bus Sewa Payment Security Mechanism Scheme has got approval from the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India.

The scheme will establish a payment security mechanism fund for procurement and operation of electric buses under the government of India / State Government and Union Territories sponsored schemes.

The idea is to mitigate the risk of payment delays and support OEMs and operators who have entered into concession agreements with public transport authorities.

The scheme for a period of 12 years is expected cover around 38,000 e-buses and has a budgetary outlay of INR 34.53 billion.

The PM e-Bus Sewa scheme will provide payment security in case of default by public transport authorities in making timely payment to the operators as per the agreement executed between the them and the OEM/operators.

It will also provide a mechanism for recouping of Scheme Funds from the parent State Governments/UTs in the event of non-repayment by PTAs. This will ensure sustainability of the scheme fund.

Furthermore, it is expected to provide support in capacity building, training needs and adoption of innovative technologies by public transport authorities for e-bus operation.

Convergence Energy Services (CESL) has been selected as the implementing agency for the scheme.

Representational image courtesy: Tata Motors

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FlixBus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, on World Tourism Day to promote domestic destinations and advocate responsible tourism practices across its intercity transport network.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Tourism Minister, Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary and Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism.

Under the agreement, FlixBus will integrate destination content and Incredible India branding across its digital platforms, while deploying co-branded coaches on select intercity routes.

FlixBus has launched ‘Trails of India,’ a dedicated microsite showcasing thematic travel circuits and regional destination highlights. The partnership also includes a national campaign titled ‘Har Safar, Swachh Safar,’ aimed at encouraging environmental awareness, community respect, and sustainable practices among intercity passengers in alignment with the government's Mission LiFE initiative. Additionally, FlixBus will participate in policy dialogues to share international insights on intercity mobility and tourism development.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, "India’s tourism landscape is as diverse as the country itself, with countless destinations offering distinctive cultural, natural and local experiences beyond the well-known tourist circuits. Enabling travellers to access and explore these destinations more easily is key to unlocking their wider tourism potential. Our partnership with FlixBus brings together its technology-enabled platform and intercity network with the Ministry’s vision of taking India’s tourism story to a wider audience. As we connect travellers with a broader range of destinations, it is equally important to foster greater awareness of responsible travel, encouraging journeys that are enriching for visitors while contributing positively to the local communities and destinations they encounter. We believe this partnership can help open up new avenues for destination discovery while promoting a more conscious and inclusive travel experience."

Bhuvnesh Kumar said, "Mobility can play a transformative role in bringing destinations closer to travellers, particularly those that lie beyond the established tourism circuits. FlixBus’s technology-driven approach and growing intercity network offer an opportunity to reach travellers at scale and connect them with a wider range of destinations and tourism experiences across India. Through this partnership, we also have an opportunity to use the travel journey itself to build greater awareness around responsible tourism and encourage travellers to be more mindful of the places they visit and the communities they interact with. By bringing together destination discovery, accessibility and responsible travel, we hope to create greater value for travellers while supporting tourism opportunities across India."

Surya Khurana, Managing Director, FlixBus India, said, "At FlixBus, we believe mobility is a powerful catalyst for tourism, economic development and cultural exchange. We are proud to partner with the Ministry of Tourism in supporting the Incredible India campaign through a collaboration that goes beyond transportation to strengthen India's tourism ecosystem. By combining our technology platform, global expertise and growing domestic network, we aim to enhance the visibility of Indian destinations, encourage travel beyond traditional circuits and contribute to a more connected, responsible and resilient tourism landscape."

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Toyota Motor Corporation has launched the new Sora fuel cell route bus, developed in partnership with Isuzu Motors. The vehicle combines Isuzu's battery-electric full-flat route bus platform with Toyota's fuel cell system as part of joint efforts to achieve zero-emission public transportation.

The updated bus utilises a commercial-grade fuel cell stack and a large-capacity battery, reducing total hydrogen tank capacity by approximately 20 percent while increasing operating range to over 300km on a single fill. The fuel cell stack and hydrogen tanks are mounted on the roof structure to facilitate vehicle maintenance for bus operators.

The company claims that refuelling takes approximately 10 minutes, with support for high-speed filling standards designed to reduce refuelling times as compatible station infrastructure develops. As of September 2026, Toyota has supplied over 3,500 fuel cell systems across commercial buses, rail, and stationary generator applications globally.

Safety systems on the new Sora include an Emergency Driver Stop System linked with a Driver Status Monitor, which decelerates and stops the vehicle while engaging the parking brake if driver impairment is detected. A front blind spot monitor alerts the driver to pedestrians and cyclists ahead of the vehicle.

The passenger compartment features a step-free full-flat floor layout, optional one-touch wheelchair securement systems, and four seating configurations across urban and suburban variants. The bus can also function as an emergency power source during disaster events when connected to an external power supply unit.

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Pune-headquartered automotive company Force Motors has reported its wholesales for September 2026, selling 4,027 units last month, marking a 62 percent YoY, as compared to 2,486 units in September 2025.

The company said it witnessed volume growth across the month driven by customer demand across multiple vehicle lines. The sales were supported by market adoption of the Force Traveller N Range, increased adoption of the Urbania Deluxe within the shared mobility sector and volume contributions from the Trax model line.

Prasan Firodia, MD, Force Motors, said: "September has been a positive month for us, with healthy demand across our key products. The new Traveller N Range is witnessing encouraging market acceptance, while the new Urbania Deluxe continues to gain traction. These trends reinforce our confidence in the strength of our product portfolio and our understanding of customer needs. As we enter the festive season, we look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to serve our customers with products that meet their evolving needs."

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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has partnered with NGO She for Society and the Taliru Foundation to launch 16 pink electric three-wheelers in Bengaluru under the ‘Building Queens from the Grassroots’ initiative.

The delivery of the initial 16 units marks the first phase of a project that aims to deploy 100 electric three-wheelers to women beneficiaries identified by the Taliru Foundation. The program is supported by financial contributions from women's organisations across India to assist female drivers in entering the commercial mobility sector.

The launch event was attended by Aishwarya Mahadev, Vice Chairman of Karnataka Road Development, KPCC Social Media President and AICC Spokesperson.

Rajat Gupta, Business Head, Commercial Mobility, TVS Motor Company, said, “At TVS Motor Company, we believe mobility can play a meaningful role in creating opportunities and strengthening livelihoods. Our collaboration with She for Society and Taliru Foundation reflects our commitment to enabling inclusive and sustainable commercial mobility. The Pink Auto initiative is a significant step towards supporting women entrepreneurs and helping them build greater economic independence. We are proud to contribute to an initiative that brings together mobility, community support, and social impact.”

Harshini, representing She For Society, said, “Queens Drive is our endeavour to build queens from the grassroots by enabling women to become financially independent through mobility. With the support of women's organisations across India and our collaboration with Taliru Foundation and TVS Motor Company, we aim to create sustainable opportunities for women auto drivers. These 16 pink electric autos mark the beginning of a larger movement that we hope will empower 100 women and inspire communities across the country.”

Chitra from the Taliru Foundation, said, “Through this initiative, we are working towards creating meaningful livelihood opportunities for women who aspire to become independent earners. The delivery of these 16 pink autos is an important milestone for our beneficiaries, and we are grateful to She for Society, TVS Motor Company, and the supporting women's organisations for helping turn this vision into reality.”

The initiative forms part of TVS Motor Company's commercial mobility strategy to increase female participation in transport operations across urban markets.

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