The first regular long-distance public road transport service in India, specifically the Aligarh to Kanpur route in November 1841:
The first regular public road transport service was introduced during British rule in India.
This service was part of early efforts to develop overland connectivity between key cities in the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh).
The service connected Aligarh and Kanpur, two prominent towns in the north of India, via a scheduled horse-drawn mail coach system.
The distance between Aligarh and Kanpur is approximately 340 km by modern roads.
In the 1840s, such a journey could take several days, depending on the terrain and conditions.
The coaches would stop at designated rest points or dak bungalows, where passengers and horses could rest.
The coaches were horse-drawn carriages, similar to European mail coaches of the time.
These were equipped to carry mail, government officials, and a limited number of passengers.
The service was considered a major development in inland communication before the railways became widespread.
The main aim was to speed up mail delivery and improve administrative communication.
Over time, these services were also opened to civilians, making it the first form of long-distance public road transport in India.
This service predated the railways in India, which officially began in 1853 (Bombay to Thane).
Once the railways expanded, many of these horse-drawn services declined, though some continued as feeder services to railway stations.
This 1841 service represents India’s first step toward organized intercity transport.
It helped lay the foundation for future transportation infrastructure, including bus services and modern logistics.
