Post-poll chaos grips Bengal: When will bus services return to normal?

Even after the conclusion of the Assembly elections in West Bengal, commuter distress continues to mount, with no immediate signs of normalcy returning to the transport system.

The pressing question now for lakhs of passengers across the state is,  when will bus services return to normal?

The second and final phase of polling ended on April 29, but the transport network, especially in Kolkata and surrounding areas, remains severely disrupted.

Sources from private bus operators’ associations and state transport corporations say that although buses have started returning from election duty, full restoration of services is unlikely before Tuesday.

The shortage has forced commuters to rely heavily on overcrowded metro services and limited transport options, resulting in chaotic rush-hour scenes and prolonged travel times. Office-goers, students, and daily wage earners are among the worst affected.

Officials from the transport department point out that this election cycle saw an unusually high deployment of central security forces across Bengal, significantly increasing the demand for buses.

Nearly 90 percent of private buses were taken off the roads for election-related duties.

The impact extended to app-based cab services as well, with approximately 22,000 out of 25,000 vehicles requisitioned, crippling last-mile connectivity.

Despite polling being completed, a large number of buses are still engaged in security operations, including route marches and patrolling in sensitive areas across the state. This has delayed their return to regular passenger services.

Adding to the crisis is a shortage of drivers and helpers.

The May 1 Labour Day holiday, followed by the weekend, meant that many transport workers had not yet resumed duty.

With vote counting scheduled for Monday, uncertainty continues to loom over transport deployment, further delaying the restoration process.

Cab operators have indicated that services are expected to normalize only from Tuesday, offering little immediate relief to commuters already struggling for weeks.

Government-run transport services are also under pressure. Around 700 buses from state transport corporations, including nearly 430 from Kolkata alone, were requisitioned during the elections.

This has hit long-distance routes the hardest, with significantly reduced availability. Officials admit that buses currently assigned to security forces are unlikely to be released before the completion of counting.

Moreover, many drivers who have been away from home for over a month may take leave after their duties end, further slowing the recovery.

Authorities estimate that it may take another two to three days for the overall transport system in West Bengal to stabilize.

Until then, commuters across the state remain caught in a prolonged post-poll disruption, anxiously waiting for a return to normal bus services.