• Mou Mou
• 20 May, 2025

·      Full Details about 3days Kolkata Bus Strike.

·      How will the bus strike affect your commute.? Share with #KolkataBus

·      Private buses to halt May 22nd-24th over police harassment and toll taxes. Get the latest on Kolkata’s commuter chaos.! #BusStrike #WestBengalBus

West Bengal braces for a major disruption as private bus operators announce a three-day strike starting May 22nd, 2025 protesting alleged police harassment and unfair toll taxes. With talks failing between bus owners and authorities, commuters face potential chaos. Backed by real-time insights from X and official statements, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming bus strike and its impact on daily life.

Details & Context

The Joint Council of Bus Syndicate, Bengal Bus Syndicate, West Bengal Bus & Minibus Owners’ Association, Minibus Operators Coordination Committee and Inter & Intra Region Bus Association have united under the Paribahan Bachao Committee to call for a 72-hour private bus strike across West Bengal from May 22nd to May 24th, 2025. The strike is a direct response to alleged police harassment, arbitrary fines and excessive toll taxes imposed on bus operators. Additionally, rising diesel prices and stagnant fares have fuelled their grievances, prompting a five-point demand list submitted to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

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Video conferences with police and transport officials failed to resolve the issues with bus owners claiming authorities dismissed their concerns as if hearing them for the first time. The organisations warned that without concrete action by May 20th, 2025 private bus services would grind to a halt, potentially affecting millions of commuters. Posts on X confirm the strike’s announcement with users expressing frustration over the impending disruption. The failure of negotiations has solidified the resolve of bus owners who are now demanding direct intervention from the Chief Minister.

Quotes

·      Bus Owners’ Representative (via press statement): “Police harassment and random fines are unbearable. We’ve had no fare hikes, yet diesel prices keep rising. This strike is our last resort.”

·      Commuter on X (@KolkataTraveler): “Three days without buses.? How will we get to work.? The government needs to fix this fast.! #BusStrike”

·      Transport Official (anonymous, via news report): “We’re open to dialogue but the bus owners’ demands need practical solutions. A strike won’t solve anything.”

·      Paribahan Bachao Committee: “We’ve written to Mamata Banerjee but if our demands aren’t met by May 20th, buses won’t run from May 22nd to 24th.”

Additional Information

·      Strike Dates and Scope: The strike is set for Thursday, Friday and Saturday (May 22nd-24th, 2025) affecting private bus services state wide, including Kolkata, Howrah and rural districts.

·      Demands: The bus operators’ five-point demands include halting police harassment, regulating toll taxes, addressing diesel price hikes, revising fares and improving road infrastructure.

·      Failed Negotiations: Video conferences with police and transport officials yielded no resolution with bus owners alleging a lack of empathy from authorities.

·      Public Sentiment on X: Posts on X show growing commuter anxiety with hashtags like #KolkataBus and #BusStrike trending. Users like @BengalCommuter warn of chaos for office-goers and students.

·      Historical Context: Similar strikes occurred in 2023 over fare hikes but this is the first major action citing police brutality as the primary cause.

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Impact Analysis

The 72-hour bus strike threatens to disrupt daily life across West Bengal, particularly in urban hubs like Kolkata where private buses are a lifeline for millions. Commuters, especially office-goers, students and daily wage workers, face significant challenges with alternative transport options like autos and trains likely to be overcrowded. The strike could also strain the state’s economy, impacting small businesses reliant on daily commuters.

On X, sentiment is mixed: some users support the bus owners’ fight against alleged police harassment while others criticise the strike as a burden on the public. A post by @CityRiderKolkata noted “Police need to stop harassing drivers but why punish us commuters.? #WestBengalBus”. Rural areas, dependent on private buses for connectivity, may face isolation with potential delays in goods transport.

The strike’s timing, amidst ongoing weather disruptions (thunderstorms and rain in Bengal) could compound commuter woes, as alternative travel options may be limited. If unresolved, the protest could escalate tensions between the government and transport unions, potentially leading to further actions.

Conclusion

The West Bengal bus strike from May 22nd-24th, 2025 highlights deep-rooted issues between private bus operators and authorities with police harassment and economic pressures at the forefront. As negotiations falter, commuters brace for three days of chaos urging swift government action. This strike underscores the need for dialogue to balance operators’ demands with public convenience. Stay informed as this situation evolves, and plan your travel accordingly.

Call to Action (CTA)

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