Harassment waiting for Kolkata commuters as private major bus operating syndicates in the city have threatened strike. Bengal Bus Syndicates, West Bengal Bus, and Minibus Operators Welfare Association, and Mini Bus Operators’ Associations, collectively took the decision to go on a strike from January 28 to 30, with a demand of introducing GST to diesel prices and immediate revision of bus fare.

If they stick to the decision, there will be a major commute crisis across the city as private buses carry 70% daily passengers.

“We have been the worst hit since lockdown. We kept appealing for revision of fare. The government paid no heed to our repeated pleas. Out of our commitment to the essential services we maintain, we ran the buses despite incurring huge losses. But now we have no other option but to call the strike. After this, if no step is taken, the next strike will be for an indefinite period, as most of the operators have no more resources to buy diesel or for maintenance,” said Tapan Bandyopadhyay, Secretary, Joint Council of Bus Syndicates.

Demanding the introduction of GST to diesel prices, operators pointed out that multiple central and state taxation made the fuel even more costly. “This is why we demand rationalisation of taxation on diesel and introduction of GST, which will automatically reduce the rate to an affordable limit. Moreover, we want the government to revise the fares, keeping in mind not only diesel price rise but the abnormal rise of prices of components, insurance, and fees. Revising fare per stage will serve no purpose,” said Pradip Narayan Basu of West Bengal Bus and Minibus Samannay Committee.

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