Commuters across Punjab are facing significant disruptions as a three-day strike commenced by contractual employees of Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transportation Corporation (PRTC). The strike, which began on Monday, January 6, 2025, has severely impacted bus services, leaving many wondering, Are Buses Running Today In Punjab? Travelers are advised to check for alternative transportation as a large number of buses are off the roads due to the industrial action.
The core demand of the striking employees is the regularisation of their jobs, along with a salary hike and other benefits. According to Resham Singh Gill, president of the Punjab Roadways, Punbus, and PRTC Contract Workers’ Union, approximately 8,000 contractual employees are participating in this strike. This widespread participation has led to a substantial halt in bus operations throughout the state.
The strike has effectively taken around 2,800 buses of Punjab Roadways and PRTC off the roads. Demonstrations are currently underway at all 27 bus depots across Punjab, as workers voice their demands for job security and improved wages. The impact is being felt acutely by daily commuters who rely on these bus services for their travel needs.
Passengers at various bus stands throughout Punjab have been left stranded, facing uncertainty and delays. The sudden disruption to bus schedules has caused considerable inconvenience, especially for those who depend on public transport for their daily commute or long-distance travel. The question on everyone’s mind is undoubtedly, “are buses running today in Punjab?”, and the answer, unfortunately, is largely no, for many routes and areas.
Prior to initiating the strike, union representatives held discussions with Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar. However, these meetings failed to yield a resolution to the workers’ demands. The lack of progress in negotiations has seemingly pushed the contractual employees to proceed with the three-day strike, further exacerbating the transportation woes for the public.
As part of their ongoing protest, the striking employees have announced plans to march towards Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence on Tuesday. This escalation indicates their determination to have their grievances addressed at the highest level of the state government. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether a resolution can be reached and when normal bus services might resume, answering the pressing question for many: when will buses be running normally in Punjab again?
