Bussed out

A LARGE number of private buses that ply in Punjab do not have the requisite permission to do so. The first major drive by the Punjab Government to catch such offenders suggests a new and welcome seriousness in bringing back into the ambit of governance a sector that has hitherto operated largely outside of it. That many buses are run illegally on various lucrative routes has always been an open secret. It was confirmed when 27 per cent failed to produce proper documents during the drive. The ownership of most of the offending vehicles rests in political hands, either directly or indirectly.  Functionaries of the two main parties in the state hold most permits.  

Political patronage has long been regarded a necessary condition for obtaining bus routes, and even after the change of guard, it would seem that SAD leaders continue to control a significant share. Decisions that favour private operators, too, are still in force. State transport bodies have been neglected and their buses are generally shunted to unremunerative routes. They are often portrayed as loss-making and precious little has been done to improve their fiscal health or modernise them. 

It is obvious that there is an urgent need to change such policies and come out with measures that allow genuine businessmen to compete in a level-playing field. The political hold over permits contributes significantly to the culture of corruption. To end this, the sector must be thrown open to ensure competition, and in turn provide both quality service and safety to passengers.  Special provisions may be made for ex-servicemen and unemployed youth to own and operate buses. The viability of app-based services and other unconventional mass transportation businesses should be examined. The Chief Minister has moved to fulfil a poll promise, but catching the obvious culprits in such a drive is just the beginning. Much more needs to be done, and for that, it is necessary to end the policy of patronage and usher in transparency in the sector that has for long been a cash cow for political operators.