Written by Sharadiya Mitra
To ensure smooth travel, the Government of West Bengal has introduced a new feature to its cab-based app services. Passengers can now get real-time information about public buses through the newly launched “Where Is My Bus” service, available on the Yatri Sathi app. This aims to provide a reliable and safe transport experience for thousands of daily bus commuters.
“West Bengal is streamlining public transport with the launch of the ‘Where Is My Bus’ service on the Yatri Sathi App. This government initiative offers real-time bus tracking for commuters, improving the reliability and safety of their journeys. This digital shift reflects the growing use of technology for everyday needs like tracking and payments,” said an official.
According to those involved in the project, commuters are gradually adapting to the digital shift and becoming more comfortable with online solutions. Digital tracking and payments are increasingly seen as essential in everyday life.
Kolkata residents have already been enjoying features of the Yatri Sathi App, such as booking cabs and reserving tourist spot tickets online. Now, with the new “Where Is My Bus” feature, users can track buses in real time and book tickets from anywhere, making travel more convenient and on time.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Shiraz Dhaneshyar, Managing Director of the West Bengal Transport Corporation, said the new service will also enable real-time monitoring of the entire bus fleet from Transport and Police Control Rooms. This will not only help passengers track their buses but also assist in enforcing rules and responding to traffic violations like over-speeding.
In the initial phase, 16 buses operating on the Airport route have been added to the service. These include buses like AC-39, AC-23A, S-10, AC-50A, AC-38, AC-40, AC-54, and EB-12. In the next phase, private buses will also be brought under this platform. Eventually, all buses in Kolkata will be integrated in stages.
Additionally, digital display screens will soon be installed at bus stops to help commuters track approaching buses.
“The Transport Department has held discussions with three municipalities—Kolkata, Bidhannagar, and Howrah—and instructed them to install digital systems at all bus stops. With this integration, the Traffic Control Room can monitor bus movements more closely. It will help detect and address issues such as route deviations, unnecessary halts, or rash driving. Control Room operators will also be able to contact onboard staff directly and take quick action,” Dhaneshyar said. He stressed that the main goal of the “Where Is My Bus” service is to ensure commuter safety.
Yatri Sathi is India’s first zero-commission ride-hailing platform, developed in collaboration with the Government of West Bengal. With the addition of bus tracking and ticketing, it has now become a Multimodal Transport Solution, entering its second phase of expansion. Currently, over 36 lakh users are registered on the app.
Sharadiya Mitra is interning with the Indian Express