There was confusion and chaos on store for bus passengers with not all bus operators shifting from Phase-8 to the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Phase-6 as was planned. Most operated from the Phase-8 facility.
Many residents had to return from the new facility with buses not running. There were no help desks set up at either of the two facilities.
All 225 buses originating from SAS Nagar were to start operating from the new ISBT. On Saturday, however, only buses en route Himachal Pradesh operated from new terminal. Many buses operating on Punjab routes did not come to the new terminal at all.
Phase 6 resident Kuljeet Kaur said, “I was to board a bus to Hoshiarpur. I have heard that the service has not yet shifted to the new facility. There is no one to guide passengers properly so now I am going to Chandigarh to board the bus.”
Phase 8 resident Sukhdev Singh, “I had to go to Sirhind but am now told I will be able to board the bus from the Kumbra Chowk.”
NO PRINTED RECEIPTS FOR ADA(BUS STAND) FEE
Bus operators were also harassed as they were not given printed receipts for Rs 50 paid as parking fee. The only thing they got was a hand-written plain paper with stamp in name of receipt. Officials claimed printers were not working.
NO ROUTES DISPLAYED ON LEDs
LED screens have been put up at ISBT to display the routes of buses but they did not work on Saturday. The facility is under the transport department.
“We have started the operations today and owing to lack of awareness not all buses operated from Phase-6. Things will be streamlined soon,” said Pawan Kumar Singla, general manager, Punjab Roadways.
There were reports that after intervention from transport officials, some buses were stopped at Balongi and diverted to Phase-6.
