The Silent Crisis Inside India’s State Transport Buses

[Bhaijaan]

Across many Indian states, public bus services face an acute shortage of conductors, driven by hiring freezes, contractual employment, poor wages, and delayed recruitments. Transport undertakings operate with thousands of vacant posts, forcing drivers to double up as ticket sellers, increasing fatigue, delays, and accident risk.

Revenue leakage rises as ticketing becomes inconsistent, while passengers face overcrowding, confusion, and frequent disputes. Automation and digital ticketing are often cited as substitutes, but implementation is uneven and unreliable, especially in non-metro routes.

The shortage reflects a deeper issue: chronic underfunding and neglect of state transport corporations. The buses may still run, but the system is stretched thin, sustained more by individual effort than institutional planning.

 

[Theanonymousone]

Good job @Bhaijaan

Actually raising core issues. @finalfantasy7 require your help to provide some insights here

Northern states had always poorer maintenance of its transport operations. A few decades back, it is one of the key employment sources for people. But, things has changed and State run transportation has faced multiple issues structurally.

1. Hiring - Low wages as people are getting higher compensation in private transport. So, hiring has become difficult.
2. Ownership change - In many cases, the state-run transport has changed its structure with employees no longer falling under government jobs which effectively removes huge pensions which were the primary attraction to these jobs.
3. Competition - In rural areas, owning 2/4W has become so affordable as income rose. So its demand declined. Also, 3W autos and low cost services like Bike-taxi by Ola / Uber / Rapido has effectively killed the demand.
4. Election tool - Many states has announced free bus services for women which decreased their revenues. Also, cost of travel is similar to 3W autos in short distances. So, primary demand is from women / adults over 60 due to free bus services.

So, the revenue decline is a combination of factors like reduced demand, intense competition and freebies. These state transport authorities are no longer in a situation to invest in neither maintenance or operations. They are barely hanging on.

What I see is the transformation in few years. Electric buses are increasingly adopted in metro cities. So, government might bridge the gap in rural cities through replacement from old buses in metro cities with Electric buses. Majority of Our population still earns less and governments should effectively run these state transport for another 2-3 decades. But they will have a slow death in the end. Shift will happen towards Metro Rail.

They will be replaced by metros in Tier-1 cities. Even Tier-2 cities are getting metros and in a decade or so, we should have 2500-3000km metro from current 1000km. That should solve the problems.
China is a true role model in this aspect.

Metro rail I believe is one of the key metric / indicator for development particularly in densely populated Asian countries.

 

[Bhaijaan]

@DeadlyVenom @sweep_shot

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Brother these are low quality chat gpt posts unlike Fantasy Bhai posts which come from global media.

 

[finalfantasy7]

Good job @Bhaijaan

Actually raising core issues. @finalfantasy7 require your help to provide some insights here

Northern states had always poorer maintenance of its transport operations. A few decades back, it is one of the key employment sources for people. But, things has changed and State run transportation has faced multiple issues structurally.

1. Hiring - Low wages as people are getting higher compensation in private transport. So, hiring has become difficult.
2. Ownership change - In many cases, the state-run transport has changed its structure with employees no longer falling under government jobs which effectively removes huge pensions which were the primary attraction to these jobs.
3. Competition - In rural areas, owning 2/4W has become so affordable as income rose. So its demand declined. Also, 3W autos and low cost services like Bike-taxi by Ola / Uber / Rapido has effectively killed the demand.
4. Election tool - Many states has announced free bus services for women which decreased their revenues. Also, cost of travel is similar to 3W autos in short distances. So, primary demand is from women / adults over 60 due to free bus services.

So, the revenue decline is a combination of factors like reduced demand, intense competition and freebies. These state transport authorities are no longer in a situation to invest in neither maintenance or operations. They are barely hanging on.

What I see is the transformation in few years. Electric buses are increasingly adopted in metro cities. So, government might bridge the gap in rural cities through replacement from old buses in metro cities with Electric buses. Majority of Our population still earns less and governments should effectively run these state transport for another 2-3 decades. But they will have a slow death in the end. Shift will happen towards Metro Rail.

They will be replaced by metros in Tier-1 cities. Even Tier-2 cities are getting metros and in a decade or so, we should have 2500-3000km metro from current 1000km. That should solve the problems.
China is a true role model in this aspect.

Metro rail I believe is one of the key metric / indicator for development particularly in densely populated Asian countries.

you questionably missed tis:

 

[finalfantasy7]

@DeadlyVenom @sweep_shot

 

[Theanonymousone]

you questionably missed tis:

Do you ever watch the video or read the article before pisting?

What is the video supposed to answer to the post I made??
Responding to such posts as yours feels like a waste of time honestly

Instead of spamming, bring some value addition dude.

Its a paltry 1000 buses order and the deal with China’s BYD didn't go through. Even the Europe and West have put multiple restrictions on Chinese companies like BYD to protect their domestic markets.

How does such a small thing impact Indian state transport?? Do you even know the scale of operations in Indian state owned transport systems??

FYI, Indian government approved ~11K buses b/w 2024-26 in 5 cities. And this is just the initial phase.

Centre approves 10,900 electric buses for five cities under PM E-Drive scheme

buscoachindia.com

You honestly need some education.

 

[JaDed]

Why are posting AI videos? Even the narrator is AI:/

 

[Cover Drive Six]

I hate the policy of free bus services sponsored by state governments in India.

 

[finalfantasy7]

Do you ever watch the video or read the article before pisting?

What is the video supposed to answer to the post I made??
Responding to such posts as yours feels like a waste of time honestly

Instead of spamming, bring some value addition dude.

Its a paltry 1000 buses order and the deal with China’s BYD didn't go through. Even the Europe and West have put multiple restrictions on Chinese companies like BYD to protect their domestic markets.

How does such a small thing impact Indian state transport?? Do you even know the scale of operations in Indian state owned transport systems??

FYI, Indian government approved ~11K buses b/w 2024-26 in 5 cities. And this is just the initial phase.

Centre approves 10,900 electric buses for five cities under PM E-Drive scheme

buscoachindia.com

You honestly need some education.

Yeh the whole world needs education - just not you indians,

and so what you've accepted a deal in 5 cities, i already know that, have you listed reports showing the reality in terms of how many of those busses had major defects - no - your indian thats why, thrs plenty of problems with these indian electric busses + also plenty of reports saying not enough of these busses - reason is because so many of them are not on the road due to big problems

why would you reject BYD contract - maybe it had a bit to do with you wanting a indian company however - below video also occured and you didnt now about it:

@sweep_shot - check the above video ive listed, would you ever accept a contract with a indian - bet the answer is no


@Theanonymousone think its you who needs the education

 

[finalfantasy7]

Breakdowns, accidents in e-bus fleet tarnishing Bengaluru’s image: Transport minister | Bengaluru News - The Times of India

Bengaluru: Frequent breakdowns, poor performance and recurring accidents involving electric buses are denting Bengaluru's image, the govt informed the.

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Issues with electric buses damaging BMTC’s image, says Minister Ramalinga Reddy

Reddy also expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of drivers and buses of electric buses.

www.deccanherald.com

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773153723000774

@Theanonymousone - you know nothing

 

[Theanonymousone]

What is your point dude?
You never hold a proper argument. EV buses are a pretty recent phenomenon and there are bound to be failure. Not even a good % of our buses are EVs and they are being slowly inducted. What are you trying to make a point here??

All you do is post random articles and call for the usual suspects to support. And that too some random AI generated videos?? What wrong with difficult contract negotiations??

Hell. BYD is trying to get into Indian market with manufacturing here but India is having strict measures to protect domestic market. Its a banana country like Pakistan where people rely on 1000CC cars. Do you even know, that BUD still operates in India?? Tell me, do they sell in Pakistan??

And sanctions and tariffs on BYD is common across all the Western markets FYI. You may treat BYD as some god as China is your new master, but for us, its just another company. If they fall in our requirements, we deal. Else, No!

and so what you've accepted a deal in 5 cities, i already know that, have you listed reports showing the reality in terms of how many of those busses had major defects - no - your indian thats why, thrs plenty of problems with these indian electric busses + also plenty of reports saying not enough of these busses - reason is because so many of them are not on the road due to big problems

You didnt even read the article. The deal is not with BYD but with multiple vendors. And vendors have to deal with the delivery and maintenance. Most of the commercial vehicle contracts deal with delivery and maintenance too. And there are bound to be issues. That too at the beginning.

Like I said, education is important dude! Zero commonsense

 

[finalfantasy7]

What is your point dude?
You never hold a proper argument. EV buses are a pretty recent phenomenon and there are bound to be failure. Not even a good % of our buses are EVs and they are being slowly inducted. What are you trying to make a point here??

All you do is post random articles and call for the usual suspects to support. And that too some random AI generated videos?? What wrong with difficult contract negotiations??

Hell. BYD is trying to get into Indian market with manufacturing here but India is having strict measures to protect domestic market. Its a banana country like Pakistan where people rely on 1000CC cars. Do you even know, that BUD still operates in India?? Tell me, do they sell in Pakistan??

And sanctions and tariffs on BYD is common across all the Western markets FYI. You may treat BYD as some god as China is your new master, but for us, its just another company. If they fall in our requirements, we deal. Else, No!



You didnt even read the article. The deal is not with BYD but with multiple vendors. And vendors have to deal with the delivery and maintenance. Most of the commercial vehicle contracts deal with delivery and maintenance too. And there are bound to be issues. That too at the beginning.

Like I said, education is important dude! Zero commonsense

i never said the deal is with byd in those 5 indian cities, what i said is why would you reject BYD offer initially as it wasnt for the whole indian elec bus contract was it, for a few thouands off busses - as BYD busses are known for thr quality - the indian ones are poor, like ive already reference in the article that - indian quality is way off BYD, and you got loads of problems already reported

dont think you've had any education

 

[Theanonymousone]

i never said the deal is with byd in those 5 indian cities, what i said is why would you reject BYD offer initially as it wasnt for the whole indian elec bus contract was it, for a few thouands off busses - as BYD busses are known for thr quality - the indian ones are poor, like ive already reference in the article that - indian quality is way off BYD, and you got loads of problems already reported

dont think you've had any education

BYD is almost a new entrant in Commercial vehicles segment. India may have numerous reasons to reject the deal. We are not slaves to China like you people are. FYI, BYD is waiting for approval to expand in India from Indian authorities. Commercial vehicle deals have complexities due to maintenance over the operation life, availability of spares etc. How is that deal related to Indian roads??

We know we have problems. But that doesnt stop us from having electrified buses right? India did deploy 5K+ electric buses already and they will deal with issues as they move on.

Spamming best suits you. Not a logical argument!

 

[finalfantasy7]

BYD is almost a new entrant in Commercial vehicles segment. India may have numerous reasons to reject the deal. We are not slaves to China like you people are. FYI, BYD is waiting for approval to expand in India from Indian authorities. Commercial vehicle deals have complexities due to maintenance over the operation life, availability of spares etc. How is that deal related to Indian roads??

We know we have problems. But that doesnt stop us from having electrified buses right? India did deploy 5K+ electric buses already and they will deal with issues as they move on.

Spamming best suits you. Not a logical argument!

yet again your saying i have no logical arguent, you gne from saying i dont know anthin to the above post where you now agree to what ive written, what do you know about the electric bus industryin India = nothing, ive already proven you wrong with the links above,

 

[finalfantasy7]

Yeh the whole world needs education - just not you indians,

and so what you've accepted a deal in 5 cities, i already know that, have you listed reports showing the reality in terms of how many of those busses had major defects - no - your indian thats why, thrs plenty of problems with these indian electric busses + also plenty of reports saying not enough of these busses - reason is because so many of them are not on the road due to big problems

why would you reject BYD contract - maybe it had a bit to do with you wanting a indian company however - below video also occured and you didnt now about it:

@sweep_shot - check the above video ive listed, would you ever accept a contract with a indian - bet the answer is no


@Theanonymousone think its you who needs the education

what happened in this video, o yeh typical dodgy indian lying, fraudulent.


Indian media saying where are the electric busses in the cities which the buses are opearting, thr in the maintenance depo - being repaired - not many miles completed - bad workmanship yet again.


You keep contradicting yourself, i've used our own media against you, you listed nothing other than your dream....

 

[Theanonymousone]

yet again your saying i have no logical arguent, you gne from saying i dont know anthin to the above post where you now agree to what ive written, what do you know about the electric bus industryin India = nothing, ive already proven you wrong with the links above,

Agreeing to What you have written??
You copy paste articles and add nothing of substance.

Who even said that Indian EV industry is leading?? We are at a nascent stage in EVs. India doesn't offer incentives like the West or China as we don't have home grown EV tech yet.

And is electric bus industry = State transport?? Our state transports are struggling due to multiple factors which I lister above. You posted some article about BYD contract and went into a different tangent. Please have some common sense. What are you trying to argue here?? Is having BYD buses a symbol of having good state transport?? How foolish one can be??

 

[finalfantasy7]

Agreeing to What you have written??
You copy paste articles and add nothing of substance.

Who even said that Indian EV industry is leading?? We are at a nascent stage in EVs. India doesn't offer incentives like the West or China as we don't have home grown EV tech yet.

And is electric bus industry = State transport?? Our state transports are struggling due to multiple factors which I lister above. You posted some article about BYD contract and went into a different tangent. Please have some common sense. What are you trying to argue here?? Is having BYD buses a symbol of having good state transport?? How foolish one can be??

ive never stated tha the indian EV industry is leading,

I do agree that your are in the nagent stage, but i still think you previously accepted BYD offer - you would have been at a slightly beter stage - at the end of the day - with me of the buses you could have just taken data from, to improve your own indian EV companies - lets not pretend that every other country incuding the west doesnt do this .

your last point - ive answered above, but you should agree to China BYD, as both pakistan and india have a history off only allowing very selective companies from generally Japan (Toyota, Suzuki, Honda) into thr market - who have a history off offering very basic cars - but lets be realistic - not much updates and no creativity or even rivalry to improve the product - i see both countries have had the same problem with bus / train transports - bus industry should see the mistakes made in the car / train industry and at least go for other options

 

[Theanonymousone]

ive never stated tha the indian EV industry is leading,

I do agree that your are in the nagent stage, but i still think you previously accepted BYD offer - you would have been at a slightly beter stage - at the end of the day - with me of the buses you could have just taken data from, to improve your own indian EV companies - lets not pretend that every other country incuding the west doesnt do this .

As your intention was not to troll in this post, I will reply seriously.

1. EVs in commercial sector are still in trail mode in India. They are quite expensive upfront but costs only make sense in the long run as operational costs are lower. Hence, contracts are given to those who have maintenance presence primarily in Commercial vehicles sector.
2. The article / video above noted that the deal broke down due to upfront payment issue. Its a common practice to be honest to only pay 10-20% of the amount and the next big chunk of 50-60% when first delivery was made. Anyway, I think India might have gotten better deal or it may truly be a mistake from our side.
3. The point is its a small deal and BYD is not a leader in Commercial vehicle sector too with proven track record.
4. India is focusing on homegrown EV tech, patents on Lithium battery ions are widely available and quite a few players are involved in this such as Ashok leyland, JBM, Olectra etc. They will lag behind BYD in tech but its better for home-grown value addition.

your last point - ive answered above, but you should agree to China BYD, as both pakistan and india have a history off only allowing very selective companies from generally Japan (Toyota, Suzuki, Honda) into thr market - who have a history off offering very basic cars - but lets be realistic - not much updates and no creativity or even rivalry to improve the product - i see both countries have had the same problem with bus / train transports - bus industry should see the mistakes made in the car / train industry and at least go for other options

Agree with your overall point. Indians never cared about aesthetics as Maruti ruled the roost in cost sensitive Indian market. Things changed now a bit but far from the West / China. Our premium segment is minuscule but still growing steadily. All of this is due to the closed economy prior to 1990’s. Pakistan missed the trick in 2000’s. I worked for Auto clients previously and I can say that, China closed the gap with the West in Tech-wise. India is like 20 years behind China while Pakistan is 20 years behind India. Only salvation was somehow India had a good metro network and it will be the second largest surpassing the US in a couple of years.