CRUT Wins ‘National Public Bus Transport Excellence Award’ for Digital Practices at ASRTU Awards 2023-24

New Delhi, 10th March 2025: The Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) has been honored with the prestigious ‘National Public Bus Transport Excellence Award’ under the ‘New Initiatives – Digital Practices’ category at the Association of State Road Transport Undertakings (ASRTU) Awards 2023-24. The award was presented at a ceremony held at Jacaranda, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, in recognition of CRUT’s remarkable efforts in integrating digital solutions to enhance public transport services in urban Odisha. CRUT’s General Manager (P&A), Shri Sahadev Samadhia was present there to receive the award.

As Odisha’s largest urban public transport service provider, operating 520 buses across five cities, CRUT has been at the forefront of digital transformation. The organization has introduced several technology-driven solutions, including UPI-based digital ticketing, a mobile pass system available through the Mo Bus app and ONDC platform and an Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) integrated with real-time bus tracking and passenger crowd indicators. Commuters can conveniently recharge their Mo Bus smart cards through online banking, UPI or ETIM machines, while automatic ticket vending machines ensure faster, contactless ticket purchasing at key transit points. CRUT has also launched the Odisha Yatri ride-hailing service to offer first- and last-mile connectivity, complementing Mo Bus services.

These digital innovations have enhanced operational efficiency, improved revenue transparency, and provided passengers with seamless, cashless commuting experience. The initiatives align with Odisha’s vision for a digitally integrated, smart transport ecosystem that prioritizes accessibility, convenience and sustainability.

Palladium, serving as CRUT’s Project Monitoring Unit, has played a key role in supporting the implementation of these digital initiatives through strategic advisory, technology integration, and data analytics. By fostering digital advancements, CRUT aims to further enhance public transport efficiency and make urban mobility smarter and more sustainable.