Surat: Massive traffic congestion and rising air pollution have become a daily concern for residents as the city’s public transport system struggles to meet growing demand. The situation has worsened following the recent floods, which forced at least 80 buses off the roads.According to population-based global standards, the eighth-most populated city in India requires 3,000 buses to adequately serve its residents. However, only around 775 buses are currently in operation, leaving a massive gap between demand and availability.The flood-damaged buses are currently parked at workshops and depots for assessment by insurance officials. Repairs will begin after the assessment, but it remains unclear how long the buses will stay out of service.The shortage has resulted in severe overcrowding, making daily travel increasingly difficult for commuters.In one recent incident, a few passengers reportedly fell from a moving bus while hanging near the door because of overcrowding. In another incident, a commuter’s hand was trapped in an automatic door that closed as the bus began moving.Thousands of students and working residents depend on buses to reach colleges and workplaces. However, reduced bus availability and overcrowding are discouraging commuters from using public transport and pushing them towards autorickshaws.Even autorickshaws are facing overcrowding, with reports of seven to eight passengers being squeezed into vehicles designed to accommodate three people. Commuters have also raised concerns about increased exposure to snatching and theft while relying on alternative modes of transport.Former AAP municipal councillor Mahesh Anghan said, “A large number of buses are found abandoned in the workshop and depot. The agencies authorised to run the bus service are not running all of the 775 buses“.However, a Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) official disputed the claims and said most of the fleet remains operational.“At least 80 buses are under repair due to damage following the floods, while some other buses are under repair due to routine work. Apart from that, all the buses are in use,” the official said.With the city’s bus fleet already falling short of the estimated requirement, the temporary loss of a number of buses has added to the pressure on commuters across the city.
