Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) employees initiated a three-day strike on Monday, causing significant disruptions in public transportation across the State. The protest, led by the Punjab Roadways PUNBUS and PRTC Contract Workers Union, has left approximately 2,800 buses grounded, stranding commuters at bus stands and affecting operations in all 27 depots statewide.
The strike stems from long-standing grievances, including the regularization of contractual employees, salary increments, and an overhaul of the transport department’s policies. Union leaders accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led State Government of neglecting its promises and ignoring the plight of thousands of contractual workers.
The protesting employees include drivers, workshop mechanics, and clerical staff, many of whom have been serving on contractual or outsourced terms for years. Chandigarh Depot Contract Workers Union president Gurpreet Singh emphasized, “When AAP came to power, they promised regularization of all contractual employees within a month. It has been over a year, and nothing has been done.”
Among the key demands of protesting employees are regularization of Contractual Workers, addition of new buses, and implementation of revised transport policy, among others.
Nearly 7,500 contractual and outsourced employees form the backbone of Punjab Roadways and PRTC operations. Protesters demanded that outsourced workers be brought onto contracts and existing contractual staff be made permanent. Protesters argued that expanding the state-owned fleet is crucial to improving services and revenues, as opposed to relying on private operators through the Kilometer Scheme.
The Union representatives also called for adherence to the 1986 state transport policy, which mandates a 70:30 ratio of government to private buses. They claimed that this ratio has reversed in favour of private buses, reducing opportunities for government-run services.
PRTC-PUNBUS Contractual Employees Union president Resham Singh highlighted the revenue loss caused by underutilized government buses. “Over 400 buses have been decommissioned in the last three years, and no new buses have been added to the fleet. The Kilometer Scheme benefits private bus owners at the expense of the state,” he said.
The strike has brought bus operations to a near standstill, leaving thousands of commuters stranded. Harkesh Kumar Vicky, a union leader from Patiala Depot, noted that over 250 routes have been disrupted in Patiala alone, while operations at other depots face similar challenges.
Passengers across Punjab are bearing the brunt, with limited transportation options. Regular staff have managed to operate only a handful of buses — 51 in total — on Monday. This disruption also translated to significant financial losses for the state. According to Union estimates, the daily receipts of PRTC and PUNBUS are Rs 2.64 crore and Rs three crore, respectively, amounting to massive revenue shortfalls.
Union leaders have warned of intensified protests if their demands are not addressed. “If the government continues to ignore us, we will protest outside Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence in Chandigarh or Sangrur on Tuesday. If there is no resolution, we will take our agitation to AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s doorstep in New Delhi,” said a protesting employee.
Protesters also recalled a July 2024 meeting with Chief Minister Mann, which failed to yield tangible outcomes. “The government’s indifference has forced us to block roads and halt bus operations. This is our last resort,” they said.
The strike highlighted deeper structural issues within Punjab’s transport system. The Kilometer Scheme, under which private bus operators are paid Rs 9.50 per kilometer, has come under fire for siphoning funds that could otherwise be used to strengthen the public fleet. Protesters argued that investing in new buses would be more sustainable and cost-effective in the long run.
Critics also pointed out the disparity in policy implementation, with private operators reaping benefits while contractual workers face job insecurity and stagnant wages. “A new bus costs Rs 30 lakh and can serve for 15 years. Yet, under the current scheme, private operators earn Rs 1.25 crore over six years while the government bears their operational costs,” said Resham Singh.
As the strike enters its second day on Tuesday, pressure mounts on the AAP Government to find a resolution. Union leaders have called for immediate action to prevent further escalation. The government, however, has yet to make a concrete statement on addressing these demands.
