Last Updated:
The crisis is two-sided. On one hand, passengers wait in long queues at bus stops. On the other, buses lie idle in garages and depots.
Why Nobody Wants To Be A Bus Driver
Ask a child to imagine a dream job, and many would picture themselves behind the giant steering wheel of a bus. The sight of a driver, commanding a big machine through busy streets, carried a certain charm. But fast forward to adulthood, and that dream crashes into hard reality. Today, in Kolkata and across Bengal, hardly anyone wants to be a bus driver.
A Vanishing Profession
Recommended Stories
The numbers tell a stark story. A decade ago, between 800 and 1,200 applications for bus driver’s licenses poured into the State Transport Department of West Bengal each year. Now, that number has plummeted to fewer than 50.
Without fresh applicants, the existing workforce is thinning out. Many who once drove buses are leaving the wheel behind, shifting to freight vehicles where earnings are steadier.
No Passengers, No Commission
The crisis is two-sided. On one hand, passengers wait in long queues at bus stops. On the other, buses lie idle in garages and depots. Bus owners admit they cannot afford to run vehicles when operating costs outstrip earnings.
For drivers, the problem is sharper: their wages are tied to the number of passengers. With fewer commuters, their commissions have nosedived, leaving little incentive to stay in the profession.
Competition on the Roads
Public transport in Kolkata has changed. Once, buses dominated the city’s daily rhythm. Now, alternative modes -Totos, auto-rickshaws, and the ever-expanding metro have eaten into the bus passenger base.
The decline in ridership directly hits drivers, who already lack the security of fixed monthly salaries in the private sector. Government bus drivers aren’t much better off, with meager take-home pay at the end of the month.
Adding to the shortage is a breakdown in training pipelines. Tapan Bandyopadhyay, General Secretary of the Joint Council of Bus Syndicates, recalls a time when the Central Government’s Labour Department trained 1,500 to 2,000 bus drivers every year. That system no longer exists. Without new hands being trained, the pool of skilled drivers is shrinking.
A License Too Far
Driving a bus isn’t just about skill, it requires a separate license. The process is long and restrictive.
A driver must first secure a freight vehicle license and only after six years can apply for a bus or public service vehicle license. With dwindling financial rewards at the end of the tunnel, many drivers don’t see the point in waiting.
Recognizing the crisis, the State Transport Department has attempted to spark interest. Special license camps have been organized across the state to make the process easier. But the response has been dismal.
Reports from regional transport offices confirm that applications for bus driving licenses have not even touched fifty. Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty has admitted to the challenge, saying awareness campaigns are being held, but the ground reality is unchanged: young people simply don’t see driving a bus as a viable career.
From Pride to Decline
The result is a system under strain. Once a symbol of pride, the bus driver’s seat is now viewed as a thankless job – long hours, unpredictable earnings, and little recognition.
For many, the romantic childhood image of steering a big machine through the city has been replaced by the harsh calculation of survival. In a world where job stability and income matter more than nostalgia, fewer are willing to chase the wheel.
About the Author
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
September 10, 2025, 11:20 IST
Loading comments…
Scan the QR code to download the News18 app and enjoy a seamless news experience anytime, anywhere
 "Why did Israel attack Hamas leaders in Qatar, a key mediator in Gaza conflict?")
