60% Private Buses Remain Off Kolkata Roads: Commuter Crisis, Causes, and the Road Ahead

Private Buses Remain Off Kolkata Roads: Kolkata, a city that thrives on its intricate network of buses, autos, taxis, and metro services, faced a major transportation shock this week when 60% of private buses remained off the roads. The sudden withdrawal of services across key routes left lakhs of daily commuters stranded, battling long queues, inflated fares, and unpredictable delays. The disruption has raised urgent questions about the sustainability of Kolkata’s transport system, the fragility of private bus operations, and the policy gaps that continue to haunt one of India’s most congested metropolitan hubs.

According to The Times of India, at least 30 major routes were hit, especially in Tangra, Ekdalia, Metiabruz, Behala, and other suburbs. Buses were either damaged due to waterlogging or were held back due to police requisitioning for official duties. The fallout was immediate: commuters like office workers, students, and traders were left with limited options, forced to depend on costly alternatives like autos and app cabs.

Why Did 60% of Private Buses Stay Off Roads?

1. Waterlogging and Vehicle Damage

Several private bus operators reported that their vehicles had suffered extensive damage due to flooding in areas like Mukundapur and Milk Colony. Waterlogged engines, damaged electrical systems, and rusting parts rendered many buses unfit for service. Without immediate government aid or financial support, repairing them before the festive season seems unlikely.

2. Police Requisition of Buses

Bus operators alleged that police authorities had requisitioned minibuses for official duty in areas such as Lalbazar, Sinthee, and Tollygunge. Once requisitioned, these buses often remain with the police until after Lakshmi Puja, reducing availability for the general public. While the police reportedly compensate bus owners with ₹800 per day and pay workers ₹80 for food, operators argue that this does not cover actual operating costs or lost income from regular passengers.

3. Payment Disputes and Worker Reluctance

Workers demanded parity with election-duty pay scales. Many refused to report for duty under conditions they considered unfair, creating a shortage of drivers and conductors. This labor-management standoff further exacerbated the crisis.

4. Anticipatory Pullback by Owners

Fearing requisition and operational losses, many bus owners voluntarily chose not to run services. This anticipatory pullback sharply reduced bus availability during peak hours, creating bottlenecks in the city’s transport network.

Private Buses Remain Off Kolkata Roads: Impact on Commuters

The hardest hit were the ordinary citizens of Kolkata who rely on private buses for daily mobility.

• Long Waiting Times: Commuters like Supratim De waited up to 30 minutes for a bus from Jodhpur Park to BBD Bag, while others like Kushal Das reported waiting more than 40 minutes at Behala Chowrasta for a bus to Sealdah.
• Higher Costs: With fewer buses, demand for autos and cabs spiked. Mrinmoyee Sikdar, a resident of New Alipore, said she was forced to pay ₹30 for a short ride to Behala, far above the usual fare.
• Disrupted Daily Life: Office-goers arrived late, students missed classes, and small traders suffered delays in reaching marketplaces.
• Overcrowding in Government Buses: The strain shifted to state-run buses, where overcrowding created safety hazards and increased travel discomfort.

This pattern is not new. Kolkata has often seen commuter distress during transport strikes or heavy rains, but the scale of this disruption highlighted a deeper structural issue with the city’s reliance on private operators.

Voices from the Ground

• Swapan Ghosh, from the Minibus Operators Coordination Committee, said:
  “We are left with no option but to stop minibus operations. The compensation paid by the authorities is inadequate, and our buses are being damaged beyond repair in flooded areas.”
• Titu Saha, representing City Suburban Bus Service, noted:
  “Many buses will not be roadworthy even during the upcoming Puja season. Without proper maintenance support, owners cannot risk running them.”
• Tapan Banerjee, of the Joint Council of Bus Syndicate, added:
  “Owners are unwilling to operate when requisition is so high. This is why routes in Tangra, Metiabruz, and Behala are suffering the most.”

Systemic Issues in Kolkata’s Transport

Dependence on Private Buses

Private buses form a significant portion of Kolkata’s surface transport, bridging the gap where government fleets cannot reach. However, this reliance comes with vulnerabilities, as seen during strikes, fuel price hikes, or natural disruptions.

Opaque Requisition Practices

While police requisition of buses is legal in emergencies, operators complain that the process lacks transparency. Compensation is inadequate, vehicles are often returned damaged, and no clear time frame exists for release.

Poor Infrastructure Resilience

Waterlogging in key transit corridors highlights Kolkata’s long-standing struggle with urban drainage. Kolkata Municipal Corporation has repeatedly pledged to improve stormwater management, but ground realities suggest otherwise.

Labor-Management Tensions

The absence of a structured framework for wages, benefits, and dispute resolution means operators and workers often resort to sudden stoppages, directly affecting commuters.

Comparisons with Other Cities

Other Indian cities have also struggled with similar issues but have attempted reforms:

• Delhi: Introduced cluster bus schemes, where private operators run under strict contracts and monitoring, ensuring accountability.
• Mumbai: Despite heavy rains, BEST buses continue operations with government backing, reducing dependency on private players.
• Bengaluru: Integrated app-based tracking systems allow commuters to monitor bus availability in real time, reducing uncertainty.

Kolkata, by contrast, still operates on a largely informal, loosely monitored system where private bus owners retain wide discretion.

The Way Forward: Possible Solutions

Short-Term Steps

1. Immediate repair subsidies for buses damaged by waterlogging.
2. Deployment of additional government buses on critical routes.
3. Strict monitoring of fare hikes by autos and app-based taxis.
4. Clear communication to commuters about route availability.

Medium-Term Reforms

1. Transparent and fair requisition policies with proper compensation.
2. Establishment of a Transport Coordination Authority to monitor operations in real time.
3. Introduction of insurance schemes for flood-related vehicle damage.
4. Training and welfare measures for drivers and conductors to prevent sudden labor disruptions.

Long-Term Vision

1. Integrated multimodal transport planning, combining buses, metro, trams, and suburban rail.
2. Smart mobility initiatives with GPS-enabled tracking apps for buses.
3. Investment in stormwater drainage and road resilience to minimize disruptions during monsoons.
4. Gradual shift toward electric and eco-friendly buses, supported by both public and private investments.

Conclusion

The sudden absence of 60% of Kolkata’s private buses is not just a one-day inconvenience. It reflects systemic weaknesses in policy, infrastructure, and coordination. Unless authorities, operators, and commuters work together on reforms, such crises will repeat — especially during the monsoon and festive seasons.

For the millions who depend on buses daily, reliable public transport is not a luxury but a necessity. The episode serves as a wake-up call for Kolkata to modernize its transit ecosystem, strengthen oversight, and create a system where commuters are not left stranded due to avoidable disruptions.

For updates on civic measures and transport advisories, commuters can check West Bengal Transport Department and Kolkata Police Traffic Department.

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