Urban Glide Launched to Operate Public Buses Under New Govt Model

Key Highlights:

• Komorebi Tech and Globus launched Urban Glide to run public buses under the GCC model.
• It will start with 150 buses in Mumbai and expand to 500 in the first year.
• India is shifting 2 lakh buses to private operators, creating a ₹1 lakh crore market.
• Led by experts Victor Nagaonkar (ex-BEST) and Sunil Solanki (ex-PMPML).
• Focus on clean electric buses, safety, planning, and trained staff.

A new company, Urban Glide, is set to change how people travel by bus in India. The company was launched as a joint venture between Komorebi Tech Solutions (the parent of Cityflo, a popular urban mobility app) and Globus Trans Solutions LLP. Urban Glide will operate public buses under a system called the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model. This is a big deal for India, where over 200,000 state-owned buses are shifting to a public-private operations, creating a massive ₹100,000 crore market opportunity every year.

What’s the GCC Model?

Under the GCC model, private companies like Urban Glide handle the day-to-day running of buses, while the government decides routes and ticket prices. This setup has worked well in places like Singapore and the UK, ensuring reliable service without losing public control. In this process, commuters get better buses, and operators bring in private-sector efficiency.

Urban Glide to start with 500 buses

Urban Glide is hitting the ground running with 500 buses in its first year. The company will kick off with 150 buses in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with plans to expand across India as more GCC contracts roll out. The goal is to move over 200 million people daily on clean, zero-emission buses that are safe and well-managed.

Cityflo CEO Jerin Venad said, “This is more than just a business plan. This is a big shift for India’s cities. Clean, electric buses moving over 20 crore (200 million) people a day—that’s the scale we’re talking about.” 

Who’s Behind Urban Glide?

Urban Glide has two experienced leaders from the public transport space.

• Victor Nagaonkar, a former operations head at BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport), has over 40 years of experience.
• Sunil Solanki, who has worked with other transport bodies like PMPML, brings his expertise too.

Aim to fix India’s Bus Challenges

India’s public buses, mostly run by State Transport Undertakings (STUs), have struggled with old vehicles, tight budgets, and a less-than-great commuter experience. Urban Glide aims to fix this by focusing on professional operations, well-trained drivers, data-driven route planning, and top-notch safety standards. The company will also prioritise electric buses, supported by government subsidies and a payment system that reduces financial risks for operators.

A “Jio Moment” for Buses

Venad compares this shift to game-changing moments in other industries, like telecom’s revolution with Jio. “When regulations open up and capital flows in, the winners are those who can scale fast,” he said. Urban Glide is ready to lead, with a focus on long-term investment and strong compliance.

Support from the Government

To support companies like Urban Glide, the government is offering:

• Subsidies for using electric buses
• A Payment Security Mechanism, so companies are assured they will be paid
  

Also Read: Cityflo Saves 73 Lakh Litres of Fuel and Cuts 6,659 Tonnes of CO₂ Emissions in FY25

CMV360 Says

People in cities have dealt with late buses, poor maintenance, and overcrowding for years. If Urban Glide can bring cleaner buses and smoother service, that would be a big change for the daily travellers. But managing 500 buses isn’t a small job. It needs good planning, trained staff, and strong backup systems. The idea is good, and the people behind it have the experience. Now it's about making things better for people who travel every day.