CTU (Chandigarh): Timetable & Online Booking Guide

CTU (Chandigarh)
Timetable & Online Booking Guide

Your complete guide to Chandigarh Transport Undertaking. Get updated bus timetables, depot helpline numbers, pass parameters, and online booking rules.

Search CTU Buses

From City

To City

Travel Date

600+Active Buses

120+Routes

1.8 Lakh+Daily KMs

4State Depots

100%Tricity Coverage

2.5 Lakh+Daily Passengers

About CTU

Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) is the official public bus service of the Chandigarh Administration in India. It came into existence on 1 November 1966 with just 30 buses, formed after the reorganisation of Punjab State. Headquartered at Industrial Area Phase-I, Chandigarh, CTU was built to provide affordable, reliable, and well-managed urban transport to the residents of the Union Territory.

Today, CTU operates a fleet of over 600 active buses across 120 plus routes. Every day, these buses cover more than 1.8 lakh kilometres and serve over 2.5 lakh passengers. Local and suburban routes connect key sectors, markets, and institutions across Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali. Interstate services extend to Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir. CTU also runs airport shuttle services and offers GPS-tracked buses for safer, smarter daily travel.

Operational Evolution

1966The government establishes CTU following the reorganization of Punjab to fulfill the unified transit needs of the new union territory.

2010sIntroduction of low-floor, air-conditioned JnNURM buses to make city commuting fully accessible and premium.

2021Launch of the first massive fleet of zero-emission Electric Buses to transform Chandigarh into a green transit zone.

2024Complete integration of the Intelligent Transport System (ITS), featuring live terminal display boards and electronic bus validation tickets.

2026Rollout of 100% cashless commuting options via Tricity smart cards and open-loop digital payment methods across all active lines.

Types of Buses in Service

Interstate Luxury AC (Volvo/Scania): Premium long-distance coaches connecting Chandigarh directly to Delhi Airport, Punjab, and mountain stations.
Midi/Standard Electric Buses: Silent, zero-emission air-conditioned city buses operating on high-frequency routes throughout the Tricity.
HVAC (AC Seater Regional): Comfortable climate-controlled regional buses serving medium-distance inter-state routes at economical rates.
Non-AC Urban/Suburban: The standard local fleet providing deep, affordable connectivity across sectors, villages, and neighbor towns.

Major Service Areas

ISBT Sector 17 Terminal: The local urban heart of the network, managing heavy city bus traffic and immediate Tricity links.
ISBT Sector 43 Terminal: The massive interstate junction handling long-route operations to neighboring northern states.
Tricity Connectivity Grid: Comprehensive high-frequency routes tying Chandigarh seamlessly with Panchkula, Mohali, Zirakpur, and Pinjore.
Sub-Urban Network: Regular service lines expanding to regional hubs like Kharar, Kurali, Landran, and Derabassi.
Inter-State Corridors: Fast, daily long-distance routes reaching deep into Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.

Complete Ticketing & Schemes

How to Book Tickets Online

Access Platform: Open the official web portal at ctuonline.chd.gov.in or download the “trycityBus” mobile app.
Input Parameters: Enter your departure terminal, target destination, travel date, and preferred bus seating class.
Seat Selection: Choose your seat directly from the real-time interactive digital seating blueprint displayed.
Passenger Details: Fill in the legal full name, age, gender, and contact mobile number for every passenger.
Secure Payment: Authenticate your booking immediately using online UPI, debit/credit cards, or wallets.
Ticket Confirmation: The server instantly delivers an SMS PNR code voucher alongside a downloadable PDF e-ticket.

Counter Booking Steps

Visit Terminal: Walk up to the computerized reservation counter windows at either ISBT Sector 17 or ISBT Sector 43.
Specify Route: State your destination town, required departure timeline, and chosen bus category to the clerk.
Payment Gateway: Finalize your transit fare using physical cash notes or via state-enabled dynamic UPI QR codes.
Collect Token: Secure your printed physical ticket slip containing your verified platform boarding number.

Smart Pass & Student Concessions

RFID Smart Pass System: Fully computerized system to purchase daily, monthly, or quarterly contactless electronic passes allowing automated scanning across all local buses.
Student Concession Scheme: All regular students of government-recognized schools/colleges in Chandigarh receive deep fare concessions via institutional passes.

Senior Citizen & Special Categories

Senior Citizen Concessions: Residents of Chandigarh over 60 years of age are eligible for a 50% concession on standard ticket fares upon providing age proof (Aadhaar Card or Senior Citizen ID).
Special Free Categories: 100% zero-fare travel privileges for freedom fighters, blind individuals (with one helper), thallassemia/cancer patients, and award-winning teachers.

Government School Girls Free Travel Scheme

100% Free Transit: A major social initiative to boost female literacy and urban safety, providing zero-fare commuting to all girl students in government schools up to the 12th standard.

How It Works: The Chandigarh Education Department coordinates with CTU to issue dedicated smart passes. The student simply swipes her official CTU Smart Pass at the conductor’s electronic machine.

Divisional & Regional Directory

Central Administration & Corporate Desk

CTU Head Office (Industrial Area): 0172-2655977
ISBT Sector 17 Main Enquiry: 0172-2704014
ISBT Sector 43 Main Enquiry: 0172-2606672

Official Support Email: ctuchd@nic.in

Depot No. I (Industrial Area Phase 1)

Interstate Operations Desk: 0172-2656330

Depot No. II (Industrial Area Phase 1)

Suburban & Local Routing Desk: 0172-2655977

Depot No. III (Sector 25)

Urban Electric Fleet Management: 0172-2673010

Depot No. IV (Sector 47)

Tricity Smart Grid Operations: 0172-2633050