Mohali, 8 January 2025: A strike by contractual employees of Punjab Roadways and PEPSU Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) entered its second day, leaving passengers stranded across Chandigarh and Mohali. The three-day agitation, which began on Monday, has paralyzed bus services, causing significant disruption for commuters.
Government-run buses remained largely unavailable at the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Mohali and the ISBT in Sector 43, Chandigarh. Passengers were left waiting for hours, while private operators seized the opportunity to charge higher fares.
“I waited two hours to find a bus to Gurdaspur after my doctor’s appointment,” said Bhanu Pratap Singh, a passenger in Chandigarh. “The buses that are running are overcrowded, and private options are too expensive.”
Women commuters, who rely on free rides on Punjab Roadways buses, were also hit hard. Navjot Kaur, a Mohali resident heading to Kurali, said, “With no PRTC buses available, I had no choice but to pay for private transportation.” Similarly, Kamaljit Kaur, a Chandigarh resident working in Ropar, said, “The past two days have been difficult. I’ve had to spend extra on private buses because government services were unavailable.”
The strike stems from demands for job regularization, new buses to replace aging ones, and higher wages for drivers, conductors, and other staff. Protesters are also opposing the kilometre scheme buses and demanding action against the transport mafia.
The strike is set to conclude on Wednesday, but for now, commuters remain at the mercy of limited and costly alternatives.
