Previous govt’s rural bus service incurs losses

Gagandeep Singh

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 29

Owing to flaws in permits and ill-prepared route plans, the mini bus service for the rural areas, which was a pet project of the previous SAD-BJP dispensation, is allegedly incurring losses.

The purpose of the project was to connect the rural areas with cities. However, members of the Punjab Roadways Employees Union alleged that the service was incurring losses due to flawed permits.

They said routes for the service were not set directly to the destination, but from villages. Therefore, passengers avoided boarding these buses, they added.

They said the bus service was earning far less than required to recover the input costs. Other reason why passengers avoided boarding these buses was lack of connectivity with main bus stands, they added.

The same bus service could not be successful in Pathankot district. So, buses were shifted to Jalandhar and would run under Punjab Roadways Depot No. 1, which already had three vehicles.

Meanwhile, Punjab Roadways Depot No. 1 will have five buses under the same project. A senior official of Punjab Roadways said, “Buses have not been incurring losses. Initially, every transport faces problem to get passengers.” He said the service in the district was running on profit. “There is a plan to review permit of the bus service,” he added.

It is notable that the Punjab Roadways Union had organised several protests to oppose the mini bus service before its take off due to its alleged unprofitability.