THE All India Road Transport Workers’ Federation (AIRTWF) has strongly called upon the government of Haryana to rescind the recently issued gazette notification permitting private operators to run bus services on various routes. The notification, issued on July 8, 2024, authorizes the issuance of 3,658 stage carriage permits across 362 routes within the state.

AIRTWF argues that this move will further deteriorate the already struggling Haryana Roadways. According to the federation, the fleet size of Haryana Roadways has dwindled from approximately 4,200 buses in 2014 to around 2,800 today, despite a significant 12 per cent increase in travel demand over the past decade. The reduction in fleet size is seen as a deliberate move by the government, driven by ulterior motives, to undermine the state-run transport service.

The federation emphasizes that Haryana Roadways has played a pivotal role in providing employment opportunities to the SC, ST, and BC communities, adhering to the reservation policies. Unlike profit-driven private operators, Haryana Roadways operates under government directives to ensure safe, comfortable, and affordable transportation for the public. AIRTWF fears that private operators, motivated by profit, will not honour reservation policies or provide the same level of service.

Further, Haryana Roadways offers free or concessional travel to various sections of society, including students, senior citizens, and individuals with disabilities, as directed by the government. AIRTWF warns that these benefits will likely be discontinued if private operators take over, leading to severe hardships for these vulnerable groups.

AIRTWF has appealed to all state committees, federations, and unions to stand in solidarity with Haryana Roadways workers and organise protest actions against the notification. The federation also urged its members to send representations to the chief minister of Haryana, requesting the immediate cancellation of the notification.

In a detailed letter to the Haryana chief minister, AIRTWF underscored the detrimental impact of the decision on the people of Haryana. It highlighted that the transition to private operators would be disastrous, stripping away the social and economic benefits provided by Haryana Roadways. AIRTWF stressed the need to maintain government control over passenger transport services to ensure equitable, reliable, and affordable transportation for all.

The letter reiterates that the core mission of Haryana Roadways is not profit but public service, providing essential transportation services to the citizens of Haryana. The federation warns that privatising these routes will lead to higher fares, reduced service quality, and the elimination of social benefits, ultimately making the people of Haryana the worst victims of this policy shift.

In light of these concerns, AIRTWF is steadfast in its demand that the government cancel the notification and direct Haryana Roadways to continue operating services on the affected routes, ensuring that the needs of commuters are met effectively and equitably.