Bus services across Punjab are set to return to normal operations starting Monday after transport unions called off their three-day-long agitation that had severely disrupted public transportation throughout the state.
Union Demands Met After Protests
The Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) employees' union decided to end their protest following successful negotiations with state government authorities. The agitation, which began on Friday, had brought public bus services to a virtual standstill, leaving thousands of daily commuters stranded and facing significant transportation challenges.
The union's primary demands included the release of pending salaries and resolution of various service-related issues affecting PRTC employees. After three days of intense protests and discussions, union leaders announced they had reached a satisfactory agreement with the administration, paving the way for the resumption of services.
Impact on Commuters and Transportation
During the three-day agitation, Punjab witnessed massive disruptions in its public transportation system. The PRTC, which operates one of the largest bus networks in northern India, typically serves lakhs of passengers daily across inter-state and intra-state routes.
Commuters faced immense difficulties reaching their workplaces, educational institutions, and other destinations. The strike particularly affected daily wage workers, students, and elderly passengers who rely heavily on affordable public transport options. Many were forced to seek alternative, often more expensive, means of transportation or cancel their travel plans altogether.
Private bus operators and taxi services reported unprecedented demand during the strike period, with many routes experiencing severe congestion and fare hikes due to the sudden surge in passengers.
Resolution and Future Assurance
The breakthrough in negotiations came after marathon meetings between union representatives and government officials over the weekend. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the outcome and emphasized the importance of maintaining essential public services.
Union leaders confirmed that their members would resume duties from the first shift on Monday morning, ensuring full normalization of bus services across all depots and routes. The resolution brings relief to the thousands of passengers who depend on Punjab's roadways for their daily commute and inter-city travel.
Authorities have assured that all pending issues will be addressed systematically to prevent similar disruptions in the future. The transport department has committed to implementing the agreed-upon solutions in a time-bound manner, focusing on sustainable resolutions to employee concerns while ensuring uninterrupted public service.
As bus services prepare to resume operations, transport officials have directed depot managers to conduct thorough vehicle checks and ensure adequate staffing to handle the expected rush of passengers seeking to make up for lost travel time during the three-day agitation period.
