ST Bus News: Big relief for ST passengers! 800 new self-owned modern buses to be inducted into the corporation's fleet

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The process of including 800 new self-owned buses in the fleet of the State Transport Corporation (ST) has reached its final stage. As part of a major plan to phase out old and worn-out bus services across the state and bring new buses into the fleet, this tender process is almost complete, and these buses will soon start running on the roads. However, the reality has emerged that even today, there is a heavy reliance on contract drivers to operate these new buses. The strong reaction from various levels is that relying on temporary measures instead of permanent recruitment in the public transport system is a clear administrative failure.

Currently, there is a significant vacancy for driver and conductor positions in many ST depots. To complete the schedule, there is a reliance on contractual employees, and since these employees lack social security, long-term service assurance, and administrative protection, there is a high turnover among them. As a result, route planning and passenger services are being disrupted. As the number of vehicles increases, the lack of regular recruitment of drivers and conductors is putting a strain on the entire service system. In some places, the responsibility of ticket distribution is being left to the drivers, raising safety concerns, which is worrying for passengers.

Although claims of service expansion and modernization are being made by the government, experts are alleging that there is neglect towards human resource management in reality. While crores are being spent on the purchase of new buses, not providing permanent and trained manpower is merely a temporary patch on the fundamental flaws in the system, a warning is being given.

While presenting a clear stance, employee unions have stated that relying on contractual drivers in a public institution like ST is a strategic mistake and indicative of administrative failure. Along with vehicle purchases, starting the process of recruiting regular drivers and conductors is the real way to revive ST services, they say. From the passengers' perspective, the arrival of new buses is certainly a matter of joy, but if manpower management is neglected, this expected benefit will not be realized. Therefore, it is essential for the ST Corporation to immediately address this issue.