Punjab Transport Minister Warns Bus Operators Over Passenger Mistreatment

S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, the minister of transportation for Punjab, issued a warning to private and public bus conductors and drivers on Thursday to stop bothering passengers right away.

According to S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, complaints of drivers and conductors of Punjab Roadways, PRTC, and private bus operators mistreating passengers have been made during visits to several locations in the state as well as via official phone calls and emails. "It has also been heard that sometimes there are even quarrels with passengers, videos of which are often going viral on social media" , stated the cabinet minister.

In addition, the Transport Minister stated that complaints are being received regarding drivers and conductors of both government and private buses who are disturbing passengers by dropping them off before or after their designated stops, causing inconvenience to the general public, and who are not stopping at the prescribed stops.

The Cabinet Minister claimed that the public's perception of the Transport Department is being negatively impacted by the actions of public and private bus employees.

S. Laljit Singh Bhullar gave department representatives instructions to intensify inspections and enforce appropriate passenger behavior through regional offices for drivers and conductors of government buses, keeping in mind the issues faced by the average person. He gave the order that conductors and drivers should make sure that passengers are properly boarding and disembarking from buses at authorized stops and that this procedure is adhered to.

According to S. Bhullar, the department should also make sure that private bus operators' owners and their private management companies receive instructions on how to handle regular passengers, maintain the discipline of their drivers and conductors, and behave well around other passengers.

In addition, he said, it should be made sure that bus drivers and conductors employed by the government and the private sector complete required training in order to behave properly around the public and become fully knowledgeable about road safety regulations before beginning their careers.