Cooch Behar's women's special bus service suspended amid losses and low ridership

The women’s special bus service between Cooch Behar and Alipurduar, launched in November last year, has been suspended after operating for only six months. The service was intended to provide a safe and convenient travel option for women, covering a distance of 25 kilometers between the two towns. However, it faced operational challenges due to low ridership and financial losses, leading to its abrupt cessation.

According to sources within the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC), the bus service, which was scheduled to run multiple trips daily, struggled to attract enough passengers. Despite having a capacity of 37 seats, the bus carried an average of just 8 to 10 passengers per trip, resulting in daily ticket sales of approximately 1,000 rupees. The fare for a one-way trip was set at 26 rupees per passenger. However, the daily fuel cost for the bus was around 2,500 rupees, with an additional financial burden from maintenance and staff expenses.

NBSTC officials explained that the service was not generating enough revenue to cover its operating costs, resulting in a daily loss of about 1,500 rupees. The low ridership combined with operational costs led to the decision to suspend the service. While the corporation claimed that the suspension was temporary due to the ongoing summer holidays, it raised concerns about the financial sustainability of such services in the future.

The special bus service, which had been designed to cater to women travelers, was expected to help address transportation challenges in the region. However, with the service now halted, the authorities are reassessing the viability of such niche public transportation initiatives. The NBSTC has indicated that the service may be reinstated once schools reopen and a new schedule is proposed. However, the feasibility of such services, particularly in rural areas with lower demand, remains a topic of discussion.