Strike threat by bus owners in Jalpaiguri

TT, Jalpaiguri, Feb, 10: Private bus owners in Jalpaiguri today submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate here saying they would move to court and start a transport strike, if the government did not take proper steps to reduce the number of new North Bengal State Transport Corporation buses.

The private owners also want a fixed time to be set up for the movement of the NBSTC buses.

"NBSTC authorities are running new buses on the Jalpaiguri-Siliguri, Jalpaiguri-Malbazar and Jalpaiguri-Haldibari routes. Over 30 new buses have been pressed into service on these routes without conducting a survey. With the introduction of these buses, our buses are not getting adequate passengers and we are incurring losses everyday," said Sudipta Ghosh, the convenor of Jalpaiguri Zilla Paribahan Joint Action Committee.

"The state government has granted us permits to run buses on these routes. Now if the state itself decides to operate buses, it is natural that our business would be affected. Many of us have bought buses on loans and if their earnings become irregular, how can we pay back the dues and pay the staff? We met the district magistrate today and requested her to intervene and resolve the issue. If no steps are taken within a week, we will launch a district wide private transport strike and also appeal to the judiciary," said Ghosh.

The fare for a ride from Siliguri to Jalpaiguri is Rs 30 in the NBSTC bus.

A private bus charges between Rs 27 and Rs 30 for a ride in the same route.

According to private bus owners, 24 super buses and 24 mini buses ply on the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri route, while 25 mini buses and 45 maxi-cabs run on the Jalpaiguri-Malbazar route.

"Between Jalpaiguri and Haldibari, around 55 private vehicles, buses and maxi cabs run everyday," a private bus owner said.

On the other hand, NBSTC, which used to run three buses on the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri route, is running 24 buses now.

Also, instead of one bus each on the Jalpaiguri-Malbazar and Jalpaiguri-Haldibari routes, NBSTC is running 10 and seven buses at present.

"It is evident that such a sudden rise in NBSTC buses has taken its toll on private buses. We have little option but to launch a movement in protest," an owner said.