Okara Express Enters Bihar’s Intercity Bus Market With 110 Buses, Partners With Synaty Automotive

A new entrant is preparing to make a sizeable entry into India’s intercity bus market, with Bihar at the centre of its expansion plans.

Bihar-based Okara Express, founded in May 2025, is set to begin operations with a fleet of 110 buses, comprising 10 Volvo 9600 coaches and 100 sleeper buses. The company has partnered with Synaty Automotive for the 100-bus sleeper programme, with complete delivery targeted for January 2027.

The launch marks an ambitious start for a company entering an established and competitive market. Rather than building its network gradually, Okara Express is starting with a sizeable fleet and a clear premium positioning.

The Bihar–Delhi corridor will be central to its initial operations.

A New Operator With a Premium Ambition

For Okara Express, the entry is driven by what its leadership sees as a gap in the quality of intercity bus services available to Bihar.

Shivam Singh, Founder and CEO of Okara Express, believes the state has significant demand for better-quality buses, particularly beyond seasonal travel peaks. 

“I feel everyone keeps their worst buses for Bihar routes,” says Singh.

The company wants to change that perception by building its brand around newer buses, passenger comfort, safety and technology.

“I want to change that perception altogether. I want Okara Express to put Bihar on the map. We will operate the most luxurious buses to Bihar. We will give the latest technology and the latest amenities in terms of safety and comfort to our passengers.”

Shivam Singh, Founder & CEO, Okara Express

The strategy is to create a year-round premium intercity operation rather than depend only on periods such as Diwali and Chhath Puja, when passenger demand from Bihar rises sharply.

110 Buses From the Start

The scale of the initial fleet is one of the more notable aspects of Okara Express’ entry.

The operator is starting with 10 Volvo 9600 coaches and 100 sleeper buses. The Volvo coaches have already been delivered, while the sleeper fleet will be introduced progressively.

The buses are being specified around passenger comfort and operational safety, with features including full air suspension, live GPS tracking and 24×7 customer support. The passenger offering also includes disposable bedsheets, blankets, pillows, welcome drinks and snacks.

“We are giving the latest amenities to our passengers. The product is best in the market – fully air-suspension buses for comfort, built in accordance with the latest safety norms,” says Singh.

For a new operator, the first fleet is also the first expression of the brand. Okara Express is therefore attempting to establish its premium positioning through the vehicles and onboard experience from the outset.

Why Okara Express Chose Synaty Automotive

The 100-sleeper-bus programme brought another important decision for the new operator: choosing a bus body builder capable of supporting a large-scale fleet rollout.

Okara Express evaluated several established manufacturers before selecting Synaty Automotive.

According to Singh, the decision was based not only on the finished product but also on the level of support provided during the development process.

“Synaty stood out. They acted more like a solution provider than a bus body builder. They guided us at every step – helped us at every turn,” he says.

After-sales support was another consideration.  “After-sales support is something that is yet to catch up in the Indian bus body-building industry. Synaty has a good reputation for after-sales support, and that was another reason why we chose them,” Singh adds.

For Synaty, the programme represents a sizeable fleet engagement with a new operator entering the premium sleeper segment. For Okara Express, the ability to maintain consistency across 100 sleeper buses will be important as it moves from planning to full-scale operations.

Bihar First, Then a Wider Network

The immediate focus remains establishing the initial network and delivering the planned fleet. But Okara Express has ambitions beyond the Bihar–Delhi corridor.

The company plans to expand its services across India while keeping Bihar at the centre of its network.

“We will start expanding our services pan-India, but the heart of it will stay in Bihar. We aim to connect every major city and state in India with Bihar.”

Shivam Singh, Founder & CEO, Okara Express

That makes Okara Express an interesting new entrant to watch.

Its story is not simply about another bus operator adding vehicles to an existing route. It is about a new company entering with 110 buses, a premium-first proposition and a 100-bus sleeper programme with Synaty Automotive.

The bigger test now will be execution – getting the fleet on the road, maintaining service consistency and convincing passengers that premium intercity travel to and from Bihar can be a year-round proposition.

If Okara Express delivers on that plan, its entry could add a new dimension to Bihar’s increasingly important intercity bus market.