Punjab: Private bus operators questioned the plan of the transport department

Punjab: Big bus operators are upset with the transport department’s proposal to increase the prescribed kilometre limit of mini buses on state and national highways. In a draft notification, the department has proposed that operators under the “Open-Ended Mini Bus Permit Policy” will be allowed to ply buses up to 17 km on state and national highways against the existing limit of 12 km. Raising the issue, RS Bajwa of Punjab Motor Union said the extension should not be given at the cost of operators of 35-seater and above category buses. “We are going to lodge objections regarding the proposed changes,” he said.

Under the “Open-Ended Mini Bus Permit Policy”, the department collects motor vehicle tax of Rs 3,000 every quarter from minibus operators plying on rural roads. Whereas, bus operators under stage carriage permit pay Rs 2.82 per kilometre for plying on state and national highways. Jasbinder Singh Grewal, general secretary of the Small Scale Bus Operators (Welfare) Association, said, “The government wants to benefit mini bus operators at the cost of operators running 35-seater and above buses.”