Punjab’s public transport network witnessed major disruption on Monday after contractual employees of Punjab Roadways and the Punjab Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) launched a statewide strike, bringing bus operations to a halt at several depots and leaving thousands of passengers stranded across the state. The protest, organised by the Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC Contract Workers Union, has affected daily commuters, students, office workers and women travellers who rely heavily on government-operated buses for affordable transportation.
The strike began at midnight on Sunday after union leaders claimed that repeated assurances from the Punjab government had failed to translate into concrete action. As buses remained parked at many depots, commuters gathered at bus stands in cities and towns across Punjab searching for alternative means of transport, leading to overcrowding in private buses, higher travel costs and long waiting hours.
The protest highlights a long-running dispute between contractual transport employees and the state government over issues that have remained unresolved for years. Union members argue that despite serving the transport department for over a decade, many employees continue to work without permanent status or adequate job security.
According to the Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC Contract Workers Union, the primary demand is the regularisation of contractual employees who have completed nearly 12 years of service. The union has also demanded the abolition of the outsourcing system and the direct contractual appointment of outsourced workers, many of whom have reportedly worked for the department for around 16 years.
Union leaders also want the Punjab government to withdraw police cases registered against workers following demonstrations held in November last year. Those protests, organised against the kilometre scheme, had turned confrontational, resulting in legal action against several union members. Employees now insist that those cases should be withdrawn as part of any settlement with the government.
In a video message released ahead of the strike, union state president Resham Singh Gill said employees had followed every official procedure before announcing the agitation. He stated that strike notices had already been served to the government and several rounds of discussions had taken place with transport department officials. However, he alleged that despite repeated verbal assurances, no official notification addressing their demands had been issued.
“We have been assured several times that our demands would be addressed. Even during a meeting with the transport management on Thursday, we were given assurances but no notification was issued. As a result, all contractual workers of Punjab Roadways and PRTC joined the strike from Sunday midnight,” Gill said.
The union has simultaneously announced a larger protest plan linked to the ongoing Punjab Assembly session. Gill said workers have planned a hunger strike in Mohali if negotiations fail to produce a written commitment from the government.
A crucial meeting between union representatives and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema was scheduled for Monday morning. Union leaders expressed hope that the discussions would lead to a breakthrough but warned that if the government failed to provide written assurances regarding regularisation, outsourcing reforms and withdrawal of police cases, the strike would continue indefinitely. They further stated that the proposed hunger strike would begin on Tuesday if no agreement is reached.
The disruption has once again drawn attention to the dependence of millions of people on Punjab’s public transport system. Government buses serve as the most affordable mode of travel for students commuting to colleges, daily wage workers travelling to industrial areas, office employees and residents of rural regions where private transport options remain limited.
With bus services suspended at several depots, many passengers were forced to switch to private buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws or app-based transport services. In several places, commuters reported paying significantly higher fares than usual, while others experienced delays in reaching schools, colleges and workplaces. Women and elderly passengers, who often prefer state-run buses because of affordability and accessibility, were among the worst affected.
The strike also raises broader questions about employment practices within Punjab’s public sector transport system. Contractual employment has remained a contentious issue in several government departments, with employees demanding equal treatment, long-term job security and better service conditions. Labour unions argue that prolonged dependence on contractual and outsourced staff creates uncertainty for workers while affecting the overall functioning of essential public services.
Transport experts note that prolonged disruptions could also impact local businesses, educational institutions and economic activity if the strike continues beyond a few days. Public transport plays a vital role in connecting urban centres with rural Punjab, and any interruption has a ripple effect across multiple sectors.
The Punjab government has yet to announce a final decision on the union’s demands, making Monday’s negotiations critical for both employees and commuters. While both sides have indicated a willingness to hold discussions, the union maintains that only a written commitment—not verbal assurances—will persuade workers to resume normal operations.
For now, uncertainty continues to surround bus services across Punjab as thousands of passengers await the outcome of talks between the transport department and union leaders. Until an agreement is reached, commuters are expected to face continued inconvenience, with public transport remaining one of the biggest casualties of the ongoing labour dispute.