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Bengal Govt to hire 875 drivers and conductors to resolve public bus service shortages

  • Bengal approves recruitment of 875 drivers and conductors to address severe public bus service shortages in Kolkata
  • Focus on urban routes for immediate relief, with North and South Bengal excluded from current recruitment efforts
  • SBTC faces driver shortage of 450; additional 200 drivers could deploy 700 buses to improve service coverage

25 Jan 2025

Bengal Govt to hire 875 drivers and conductors to resolve public bus service shortages

The West Bengal government has approved the recruitment of 875 drivers and conductors on a contractual basis to address the growing challenges in the state’s public bus services. The recruitment is part of an effort to resolve long-standing issues related to bus shortages, delays, and overcrowding, which have affected commuters in urban and surrounding areas. The proposal for this recruitment will be finalized during a Cabinet meeting at Nabanna on Monday, with the primary goal of enhancing bus services, particularly in Kolkata and Salt Lake.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently expressed concerns about the state of public transport, criticizing the transport department for the lack of timely action in addressing passenger grievances. The transport department has cited a shortage of drivers and conductors, coupled with infrastructure challenges, as key factors contributing to the inefficient operation of buses. The government’s recruitment drive is aimed at addressing these issues and ensuring smoother and more frequent bus services across the city. However, this recruitment will focus solely on urban routes for the time being, with buses in North and South Bengal not included in the current hiring initiative.

The state’s public transport system has been under strain due to a shortage of buses. Currently, around 600 buses operate across North and South Bengal, which is deemed insufficient to meet the growing demand. Transport officials have emphasized that an additional 200 buses are necessary to maintain adequate service levels. Although efforts are being made to increase the frequency of buses on certain routes, the department has stated that rising fuel prices continue to present a significant challenge in managing operational costs, which could impact further service expansions.

The South Bengal Transport Corporation (SBTC), which oversees most of the state’s bus operations, currently employs 880 drivers and 956 conductors. However, the department has indicated that 1,330 drivers are required to meet the full operational demand for buses in the region. If an additional 200 drivers and conductors are hired, the department believes it could deploy up to 700 additional buses to improve service coverage. This expanded workforce would help ensure that buses can operate at full capacity and meet the transportation needs of commuters more effectively.

In addition to increasing the workforce, the transport department is also working on improving other aspects of the public transport system, including the scheduling of bus trips to reduce overcrowding and waiting times. However, authorities have made it clear that the challenge of managing operational costs, including fuel prices and vehicle maintenance, remains a significant hurdle in expanding services. Despite these challenges, the government is determined to improve the state’s bus services and address the growing demand for public transport in urban and rural areas.

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Bengal Govt to hire 875 drivers and conductors
Bengal approves recruitment of 875 drivers and conductors to address severe public bus service shortages in Kolkata





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