State set to recruit 800 bus drivers and conductors
Times of India | 28 January 2025
Kolkata: The Bengal govt on Monday approved the recruitment of 800 drivers and conductors on a contractual basis to tackle persistent issues plaguing the state's public bus services. The decision, finalised during a cabinet meeting at Nabanna on Monday, aims to alleviate the growing challenges of bus shortages, delays, and overcrowding, especially in urban hubs like Kolkata and Salt Lake.
Under the plan, 450 drivers and 350 conductors will be hired, with selected candidates paid a consolidated salary. The transport department hopes this move will address the severe manpower shortage that hindered smooth bus operations in recent years.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee recently criticised the transport department for its inability to meet passenger expectations, citing insufficient buses as a major grievance. The department attributed these challenges to a lack of drivers and conductors, compounded by infrastructural limitations. However, the new recruitment drive, designed to improve service reliability and frequency, will be limited to urban routes, with buses operating in north and south Bengal excluded from this phase.
Bus drivers face significant challenges, including long hours that can lead to fatigue, cardiac issues, and other lifestyle-related illnesses. Conductors often deal with crowded conditions and demanding schedules. The govt's decision is seen as a critical step toward addressing these operational and health-related challenges. But experts emphasise the need for long-term solutions, including better infrastructure, improved working conditions, and sustained investment in the state's public transport system.