Private bus operators in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have announced they may increase ticket prices by 30% due to rising diesel costs. According to Pushkar Luley, joint secretary of the Bus Owners and Travel Agents Welfare Association, the decision comes as operators face significant operational challenges from fuel price increases. The association represents around 125 buses that operate between Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and various cities across Maharashtra and neighboring states. This decision reflects a broader trend across India, with transport unions in Kolkata also seeking fare increases amid severe operational challenges.
Diesel prices have surged by ₹7.50 per litre in May amid the West Asia conflict, creating substantial cost pressures for bus operators. As reported by Luley, each bus requires an average of 300 litres of diesel per day for operations. The crisis has intensified significantly, with diesel prices now hovering near ₹100 per litre in Kolkata, compared to the base price of ₹68 when the 2018 fare structure was established. According to Titu Saha of the City Suburban Bus Service, this dramatic increase has obliterated profit margins for operators, forcing them to seek official fare revisions.
Kolkata's public transport system faces a severe crisis as private bus operators have massively cut services or pulled fleets off the roads entirely. At least 24 major routes are operating at less than 75% fleet strength, including routes 37, 40, 21/1, 75, 30B and 17. Operators are strictly restricting trips to peak office hours and abandoning afternoon services, with Tapan Banerjee of the Joint Council of Bus Syndicate explaining that three trips now fetch only ₹4,500 to ₹5,000 daily, while fuel costs alone consume nearly ₹4,000 daily. The situation has forced operators to seek emergency intervention from CM Suvendu Adhikari, with routes already facing a 25% to 30% reduction in active vehicles.
The operational cuts have created significant challenges for commuters, with many stranded after sunset as private buses disappear from selective routes. Sneehadeep Basu, a medical representative waiting at Park Street crossing, described the situation as gruelling, with hundreds of passengers waiting for rides home. Kalyan Chowdhury, an engineer, highlighted safety concerns, noting that with no private buses on the road past 8 pm, desperate passengers are forced to hang precariously from footboards of government buses. The crisis extends beyond buses, with app-cab and ride-hailing operators also facing identical fuel cost pressures, forcing many to cancel rides or demand extra cash over app fares.
