Ageing bus fleet, staff crunch hit HRTC services in Chamba

The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), Chamba depot, is facing a serious crisis, with buses frequently breaking down mid-journey due to the poor condition of its fleet, shortage of spare parts and inadequate technical staff. Passengers, including schoolchildren, are bearing the brunt of these failures, often left stranded on remote and narrow mountain roads.

On Tuesday, an HRTC bus broke down in the middle of the road at the old bus stand in Bharmour, causing a long traffic jam. Despite repeated efforts by the driver and conductor, the bus could not be restarted and had to be pushed aside with the help of locals.

Two days earlier, a bus broke down on the Chamba-Pukhri route. Dozens of such incidents are reported every month in remote regions of Chamba. Sources said most of the buses in Chamba depot have exceeded their lifespan and are in a state of disrepair. Out of 154 buses that the Chamba Depot has in its fleet, more than 50 are deemed unfit. These old buses are navigating the steep and winding roads of the region, often breaking down mid-journey and leaving passengers stranded.

The problem is compounded by the lack of spare parts and manpower. Against a requirement of nearly 224 technical staff, only about 45 are currently working in the Chamba workshop, including a single mechanic assisted by ITI trainees. Similarly, the depot needs 225 drivers but has only 160. Many drivers are forced to handle both long-distance and local routes without adequate rest.

With parts unavailable, repairs are often delayed. At present, 10 buses, including six from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) fleet, are lying idle. Four other buses remain grounded simply because their front windshields are broken and replacements have not arrived.

The Chamba depot operates on nearly 175 routes, but at least 10 are without service due to breakdowns and shortage of vehicles. Several routes that were discontinued during the Covid pandemic have not yet been restored, despite repeated demands from commuters. Overworked buses are sent back on routes immediately after returning, with no downtime, which increases the likelihood of breakdowns.

In the past seven years, only 15 new buses have been added to the fleet, including four AC coaches. However, most of these are long-bodied buses unsuitable for the district’s narrow mountain roads, forcing them to operate on inter-district routes. Old vehicles that have already completed their mileage continue to ply locally, often stalling midway.

Meanwhile, Chamba Regional Manager Shugal Singh said the buses were routinely checked before being sent on a route, but a few develop problems while plying on routes and alternative transport is arranged whenever possible.

Om Shankar, State vice-president of the HRTC Employees Union, urged the government and corporation to urgently recruit staff, procure spare parts and replace the old buses which have exceeded their life span. “Drivers and conductors are risking their lives daily. Without immediate action, public confidence in HRTC services will erode further,” he said.