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Private operators block entry to Ludhiana bus stand for six hours
The protesters convened at the bus stand at 10am and blocked the entry points, which also affected the movement of government-run buses
Passengers were left stranded at the bus stand for at least six hours after private operators went on strike on Tuesday, demanding that the government provide a subsidy to allow free travel for women in private buses and revise fares.
The protesters convened at the bus stand at 10am and blocked the entry points, which also affected the movement of government-run buses. Heavy police deployment was seen at the spot. In the meantime, passengers struggled to board overloaded government buses outside the bus stand, leading to traffic snarls. The protest was finally called off at 4pm.
Passengers a harried lot
Passengers faced a harrowing time due the stir. A passenger, Sarbjit Kaur, who had come from Jagroan, said, “I have been waiting to board a bus for Kohara since 10 am, but neither government nor private buses are available.”
Gurmeet Kaur, who was stranded at the Jalandhar Bypass, said, “I wanted to go to Garhshankar, Hoshiarpur, to visit a hospitalised relative, but no bus was available on the Jalandhar Bypass route due to the private operators’ strike. Many passengers had to return home due to the non availability of buses.”
Calling out the government for not making alternative arrangements for passengers, on Rani Kaur said, “The government had prior information of the strike, and yet it did not make alternative arrangements. Private operators should also not harass the common man during their protest against the government.”
Pvt players rue losses
Agitating bus operators, who had gone on strike on the call of Punjab Motor Union, a state-level body of private bus operators, demanded that the government allow free travel for women in private buses too, and provide them a subsidy or compensation along the lines of roadway buses for the same.
Ruing losses, private operators said there had been a 40-50% reduction in footfall since the government had announced free travel for women in government-run buses. The operators also submitted a memorandum with the district administration.
Iqbal Singh, who was leading the protest, said, “The government has failed to increase the fare for two years, due to which the private sector is reeling under losses. It should also reduce taxes to save the livelihoods of thousands of people working in the sector.”
As many as 4,500 mini-buses and 2,500 regular private buses ply in the state.
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