KOLKATA: Bus owners across the city on Saturday said that they would ply buses only on some select routes between Saptami and Dashami. They also plan to run a skeletal service at night, though restrictions have been eased during the Pujas. According to bus owners, they cannot provide night services due to the exorbitant fuel costs.
However, bus owners promised to review the situation once Puja gets underway.
Police have cancelled their meet with bus owners stating that most revellers were planning to use personal vehicles to visit pandals. “Even though the night curfew has been relaxed during Puja, this time there is little possibility of running buses all night. Several routes have been sent notices for charging extra and with diesel now at Rs 95 per/litre, losses are bound to rise,” said Tapan Banerjee of the Joint Council of Bus Syndicate. Pradeep Narayan Bose, general secretary of the Bus-Minibus Owners Association, said on Friday, “I have verbally informed the police about the situation. There will be some buses on the routes where we will find a steady flow of passengers,” he said. Swapan Ghosh of Minibus Operators Coordination Committee echoed the same sentiments.
Till 2019, keeping in mind passenger needs, a coordination between bus owners, police and transport department was undertaken before Pujas.
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