Bus services hit as 8,000 contractual employees of PRTC observe strike

Commuters across the state faced significant travel disruptions as approximately 8,000 contractual employees of the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) and Punbus staged a strike across 27 depots in Punjab.

The protest resulted in a halt of government-run buses, leaving many passengers stranded and chasing private buses in the rain to reach their destinations.

At the new interstate bus terminus, Harkesh Vicky, vice president of the PRTC Contractual Employees Union, expressed frustration over the lack of action from the government. Despite 45 meetings with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema and transport minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, he claimed that their demands, including job regularisation and pay parity, remain unaddressed.

Vicky warned that if their demands are not met, the union plans to gherao Chief Minister Mann during the state-level Independence Day function in Faridkot. He highlighted new regulations penalising conductors and contractual staff for passenger fare evasion, stating, "Our demands are simple. We urge the government to regularise all contractual staff and end the draconian guidelines."

Union secretary Jasdeep Singh Lalli pointed out that while PRTC operates 1,200 buses, Punjab Roadways has around 1,600, and no new buses have been added to the PRTC fleet in four years. He noted that the government pays taxes for routes totaling 5,000 km each month where no buses are currently operating due to this shortage.

Another leader Sehajpal Singh Sandhu said, "We have been fighting for our demands for a long time. It has been over a year and no decision has been made on our demands.”

Passengers like Kuldeep Kumar, who was travelling to Zirakpur, reported the chaos at the bus stand, with many resorting to private transportation. Puja Rani, a daily commuter to Mohali, lamented the impact on women, emphasizing their dependence on affordable travel options amid rising household expenses.

As the strike continues, the situation remains tense, with commuters eagerly awaiting a resolution.