Kolkata, May 11 -- Bus operators in West Bengal on Monday called for restrictions on private vehicles and measures to strengthen public transport following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for responsible fuel consumption and greater use of mass transit systems.
The Joint Council of Bus Syndicates proposed the introduction of an odd-even system for private vehicles under which cars with registration numbers ending in odd and even digits would be allowed on roads on alternate days to reduce fuel consumption and congestion.
Tapan Banerjee, secretary of the Joint Council of Bus Syndicates, also proposed a "park and ride" system under which commuters would park private vehicles outside the city and use buses or Metro services within Kolkata.
Titu Saha of City Suburban Bus Services suggested phasing out diesel-run small private vehicles and encouraging a shift towards electric and CNG vehicles.
"There is no need for small diesel cars anymore. EV and CNG vehicles will reduce pollution and fuel consumption," he said. However, another association of bus operators said improving Bengal's public transport system should be the priority before discouraging private vehicle use. Rahul Chatterjee of the All Bengal Bus Minibus Samannay Samity said inadequate bus availability had pushed commuters towards alternative modes of transport.
"In our state, people often do not get buses or minibuses when they need them.
That is why people are shifting towards other transport options," Chatterjee said. He said many operators were leaving the sector because of financial uncertainty, rising costs and lack of policy support.
Chatterjee also blamed traffic congestion, road encroachments and slow-moving vehicles for affecting bus movement on major roads and highways. He said commuters would return to public transport if services became more reliable and comfortable.
Bus operators urged the Centre and the state government to hold discussions with stakeholders and adopt
measures to improve public transport services while addressing concerns over fuel conservation.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.