Kolkata to add 900 more govt bus trips as private fleet shrinks | Check routes

The West Bengal government is set to significantly increase its fleet of government-run buses in Kolkata to address the growing demand for public transport, especially amid the ongoing reduction in private bus services. Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty has announced that the government will add 900 additional daily bus trips, raising the total number of trips from the current 3,300 to 4,198. This expansion will include both regular and AC buses across key routes in Kolkata and its suburbs.

The increase in bus trips will focus on high-demand routes. In New Town, the number of bus trips will increase from 108 to 156. Additionally, several routes in South Kolkata, including Rashbehari, Gariahat, Kalighat, Alipur, and Exide, will see 24 more trips added. The plan includes specific increases in buses on other critical routes. For instance, the number of AC 30S buses on the Ultodanga-Ecospace route will rise from 1 to 3, while the number of S30 buses on the same route will increase from 12 to 15. On the New Town-Hooghly route, the number of S12 buses will increase from 15 to 18.

Other routes also set for expansions include the Dumdum Station-Karunamoyi route, where the number of AC 38 buses will rise from 6 to 8. On the Hatisala-Hooghly route, the number of IB 13 buses will increase from 3 to 5, while the number of AC 12 buses on the Sapoorji-Hooghly route will go up from 8 to 12.

These expansions are part of a broader strategy to address the shortfall of buses on high-traffic routes in the city. Inspections were conducted across various depots, including Amtala, Thakurpukur 3A, and Shilpara depots, to assess the current conditions and demand for services. The results highlighted areas where the number of buses was insufficient, contributing to overcrowding and delays during peak hours.

The increase in government bus services comes at a time when the private bus fleet in Kolkata is shrinking due to operational and financial difficulties. As a result, the government is stepping in to ensure that public transport remains available for the growing population of Kolkata. The government’s move to add more buses is expected to provide commuters with greater access to reliable transport, reducing congestion on popular routes and addressing the need for more frequent services in key urban and suburban areas. The initiative also aims to reduce the reliance on private buses, which have faced challenges in maintaining operations.