Out of 87 govt buses, 22 off road

Tribune News Service

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

Nawanshahr, February 12

Out of 87 government buses in Nawanshahr, 22 have been off the road for a long time. They are not plying on roads due to issues like shortage of drivers and conductors and lack of maintenance. As per information, around 12 buses are off-road due to staff shortage while the remaining need maintenance. Out of 87 buses, 19 are of Punjab Roadways and 68 of PUNBUS. Apart from this, at least 35 buses are lying defunct at the workshop. When The Tribune team reached the workshop, several buses were seen parked on the spot.

As per information, there is a heavy staff shortage. As many as 30 drivers and 20 conductors are needed to run buses to their full capacity. At present, buses do not cover routes properly.

People have complained about buses not stopping in their villages. Recently, residents of Khatkar Kalan held a protest over buses not stopping at their village. They apprised Deputy Commissioner about the problem they were facing.

Jaspreet Singh, General Manager (GM), Punjab Roadways, said he had already written about the requirement of more staff to the head office. “We got a few drivers last month. I am sure we will get the required number of drivers and conductors soon.”

Regarding complaints about buses not stopping at Khatkar Kalan village, the GM said, “I have asked my team to be present there and check why buses are not stopping at the village.”

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