Background
The state government of Punjab has taken a firm decision to suspend all temporary/contractual staff of Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) and PUNBUS. The action comes after staff participated in a statewide strike protesting the government’s “Kilometre Scheme.” Because of the strike, a large number of government-run buses remained off the roads, disrupting public transport across the state.
Government’s Action & ReasoningPunjab’s transport department issued suspension orders for all involved employees with immediate effect. The department said these workers caused financial loss to the state by halting bus services on their routes. The strike was declared “illegal,” and a penalty was imposed on each bus that missed its scheduled run.
Effect on Services and Commuters With PRTC and PUNBUS buses grounded, daily commuters across many districts in Punjab are facing severe hardship. People who depended on public buses are now left stranded or forced to shift to expensive private transport, increasing travel costs and inconvenience.
Uncertainty & Public Frustration
There is no clarity yet about when suspended staff might be reinstated, or whether negotiations will resume. The abrupt suspension has escalated tensions in the transport sector. For now, commuters bear the brunt — many remain unsure when normal bus services will resume.
