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The Print
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Print
Bengal bus operators' association claims state mulling biannual CF, transport dept denies move
A senior transport department official, however, claimed that there is no information about any such draft proposal that has been prepared for being submitted to the court, and a section of media is merely coming up with speculative reporting which has little basis. Tapan Banerjee, secretary of the Joint Council of Bus Syndicates, told PTI that the association had received reliable information about a draft proposal by the state transport department, which seeks to extend the life of stage carriages beyond 15 years, based on their engine emissions and physical condition. Kolkata, Jun 15 (PTI) An association of private bus operators in West Bengal on Monday urged the state government to drop any proposal mandating biannual Certificate of Fitness (CF) checks for commercial vehicles operating in the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Area (KMDA), warning that such a move would severely impact the already struggling sector. The existing ban on commercial vehicles over 15 years old in the KMDA area was implemented following a Calcutta High Court order dated August 1, 2009, as part of efforts to reduce vehicular air pollution. Speaking on the cost implications of a two-time fitness certification per year, Banerjee said, 'Currently, a bus owner pays Rs 840 for CF. With additional allied expenses, it amounts to around Rs 25,000 annually. Doubling this will be unaffordable for most operators. Besides, this goes against the Motor Vehicles Act, which mandates only one CF annually for commercial vehicles nationwide.' Banerjee said they have suggested to the transport department that engines of stage carriages be changed on a regular basis and the age limit of a bus be extended up to 20 years. 'We support regular fitness monitoring, but subjecting vehicles to the same CF process twice a year is not viable. It will cripple the transport industry,' he said. The bus syndicate also questioned the logic of scrapping entire vehicles based on age alone. 'The body and chassis of a bus do not pollute. It's the unburnt diesel from poorly maintained engines that causes emissions. Why not just impose stricter checks on engines?' the association stated. Around 4,500 buses/mini-buses operate in Kolkata Metropolitan area, consisting of the city and parts of its neighbourhood districts, currently, with two-thirds of the stage carriages slated to be scrapped in the coming days. PTI SUS MNB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Bengal bus operators' association claims state mulling biannual CF, transport dept denies move
Kolkata, An association of private bus operators in West Bengal on Monday urged the state government to drop any proposal mandating biannual Certificate of Fitness checks for commercial vehicles operating in the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Area , warning that such a move would severely impact the already struggling sector. Tapan Banerjee, secretary of the Joint Council of Bus Syndicates, told PTI that the association had received reliable information about a draft proposal by the state transport department, which seeks to extend the life of stage carriages beyond 15 years, based on their engine emissions and physical condition. A senior transport department official, however, claimed that there is no information about any such draft proposal that has been prepared for being submitted to the court, and a section of media is merely coming up with speculative reporting which has little basis. The existing ban on commercial vehicles over 15 years old in the KMDA area was implemented following a Calcutta High Court order dated August 1, 2009, as part of efforts to reduce vehicular air pollution. Speaking on the cost implications of a two-time fitness certification per year, Banerjee said, "Currently, a bus owner pays ₹840 for CF. With additional allied expenses, it amounts to around ₹25,000 annually. Doubling this will be unaffordable for most operators. Besides, this goes against the Motor Vehicles Act, which mandates only one CF annually for commercial vehicles nationwide." Banerjee said they have suggested to the transport department that engines of stage carriages be changed on a regular basis and the age limit of a bus be extended up to 20 years. "We support regular fitness monitoring, but subjecting vehicles to the same CF process twice a year is not viable. It will cripple the transport industry," he said. The bus syndicate also questioned the logic of scrapping entire vehicles based on age alone. "The body and chassis of a bus do not pollute. It's the unburnt diesel from poorly maintained engines that causes emissions. Why not just impose stricter checks on engines?" the association stated. Around 4,500 buses/mini-buses operate in Kolkata Metropolitan area, consisting of the city and parts of its neighbourhood districts, currently, with two-thirds of the stage carriages slated to be scrapped in the coming days.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Buses threaten 3-day strike after talks with state fail
1 2 Kolkata: The meeting between the Bengal transport department and five major private bus operators ' associations failed to resolve an ongoing stand-off on Monday, as the associations confirmed they would proceed with a three-day statewide strike of stage carriage buses starting May 22. Despite several meetings with senior transport officials, including transport secretary Saumitra Mohan, the associations, united under the banner Besarkari Jatri Paribahan Banchao Committee , remained firm on their decision to protest. Their demands include a two-year extension for buses over 15 years old and an end to what they allege is persistent police harassment over traffic violations, and fare revision. "It is unfortunate that the bus operators decided to continue with the strike. Our govt is sympathetic to their demands, and many issues are under review. A strike is not a solution — it only causes immense inconvenience to the public," said state transport minister Snehasis Chakraborty. If the strike happens, over 2,000 buses will go off the roads. Chakraborty said the govt will deploy its full fleet of public transport and ensure that buses not participating in the strike are not forcibly stopped. "We will take legal action against any coercive tactic. We hope the associations will reconsider and call off the strike." However, association leaders indicated no breakthrough was in sight. P N Bose, spokesperson for the Inter and Intra Region Bus Association, expressed cautious optimism, saying, "Let's hope against hope." Tapan Banerjee , secretary of Joint Council of Bus Syndicates, cited severe financial distress in the sector. "Private bus operators are yet to recover from Covid-era losses. The govt hasn't offered a viable financial package. On top of that, false traffic violations and heavy fines are hurting us." He also noted that a letter was sent to the Chief Minister's Office seeking inter-vention but has received no response yet. Currently, approximately 3,500 private buses operate in Kolkata and surrounding areas, while 27,000 ply statewide. The transport community remains divided on the strike. Titu Saha, secretary of City Suburban Bus Service, said, "We neither support nor oppose the strike. Our buses will run. We don't want commuters to suffer. While many demands are valid, cutting off dialogue through a strike is counterproductive."
Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
5 private bus operators' organisations call 3-day strike across Bengal from May 22
Kolkata, A platform of five private bus operators' associations in West Bengal on Friday announced a three-day strike from May 22, demanding immediate resolution of long-pending issues, including a two-year extension for vehicles older than 15 years and an end to alleged police excesses over traffic violations. The five associations — Joint Council of Bus Syndicates, Bengal Bus Syndicate, West Bengal Bus-Mini Bus Owners Association, Minibus Operators Co-ordination Committee and Inter and Intra Region Bus Association — which have come together under a unified platform called Besarkari Jatri Paribahan Banchao Committee have urged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to sit for talks with the bus operators by May 20. PN Bose, spokesperson of the Inter and Intra Region Bus Association, told PTI, "Private bus operators are yet to recover from the losses incurred during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. The state government has not announced a viable financial package for the stage carriage sector, which is now struggling for survival." In a letter to the Chief Minister's Office, the bus operators also requested DGP Rajiv Kumar be present at the proposed meeting to address concerns regarding alleged police excesses. "Despite repeated pleas to the transport department and Kolkata Police, our issues remain unaddressed. We have been incurring losses while continuing to operate, but the state remains unresponsive," said Tapan Bandyopadhyay, spokesperson of the Joint Council of Bus Syndicates. "Every day, a bus has to pay fines ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 to traffic police under the pretext of traffic violations. Our repeated demands to reduce toll taxes at locations such as Vidyasagar Setu and Dankuni have gone unheard. The state has not fulfilled its responsibility to ensure that 15-year-old buses are granted a two-year window, considering the massive losses suffered during the Covid period. We are not asking for charity," Bandyopadhyay asserted. Bose added, "If the stalemate continues, we may escalate the protest beyond the May 22–25 strike." Currently, around 2,500 private buses operate in Kolkata and surrounding areas, while around 27,000 buses ply across the state.
