SwitchON Foundation hosts Stakeholder Consultation on improving Kolkata’s Bus Services under the ‘Double the Bus’ Initiative

 

Kolkata : SwitchON Foundation, in collaboration with Kolkata Bus-o-Pedia Foundation, successfully hosted a multi-stakeholder consultation to collectively reimagine Kolkata’s public transport landscape and strengthen the city’s bus services under the Double the Bus Initiative. The event, held at Rotary Sadan, brought together representatives from government departments, transport operators, civil society groups, academic institutions, development organisations, and media partners to discuss how Kolkata can move towards safe, affordable, and efficient mobility for all commuters.

 

Focus on Strengthening Bus Services: Participants reflected on the urgent mobility challenges faced by Kolkata—long waiting times, ageing fleets, irregular services, and inadequate digital tracking systems—and discussed how an expanded and modernised bus system could significantly improve daily commuting experiences across the city.

 

Under the Double the Bus Initiative, speakers emphasised the need to:

 

·       Increase bus frequency to reduce crowding

·       Enhance route planning, coordination, inclusivity, and reliability

·       Expand electrified bus fleets for cleaner mobility

·       Strengthen neighbourhood-level and last-mile connectivity

·       Integrate real-time tracking, digital fleet management, and data-driven decision-making to improve service delivery

 

Upgrading Transport Infrastructure: The consultation also highlighted the need for stronger, commuter-friendly infrastructure, including:

 

·       Renovated and modernised bus stops

·       Better lighting and safety systems, including CCTV and panic button

·       Universal accessibility features for persons with disabilities

·       Improved pedestrian pathways and multimodal linkages

·       Digital passenger information systems for real-time updates

 

Digital Innovations for Smarter Mobility: Experts discussed the importance of adopting digital tools, such as real-time passenger information boards, automated scheduling, open mobility data, and integrated apps, to help commuters plan more efficient journeys while improving operator efficiency and transparency.

 

Outcome and Way Forward: The consultation concluded with a shared commitment among stakeholders to:

 

·       Build a consensus-driven roadmap to strengthen bus services

·       Prioritise improvements in service quality, accessibility, and safety

·       Explore pilot initiatives supporting the Double the Bus vision

·       Establish a working group for continued dialogue and policy engagement

 

"I hope this initiative will contribute towards better mobility in state transport system by strengthening bus services across the city", Shri Snehasis Chakraborty, Minister-in-Charge, Transport Department, Govt. of West Bengal

 

“With growing population, limited resources, & emerging technologies, the city transport system must dynamically adapt with these issues. So the comprehensive model for transportation must be a sustainable one optimising economy, environment and social acceptance. Developing a dynamic business model through innovations with proper identification of passenger classification is most critical for a sustainable urban transport system”, said Prof. Sudipto De - Professor, Jadavpur University.

 

SwitchON Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to advancing evidence-based, people-centred mobility solutions that make Kolkata’s public transport network more reliable, inclusive, and future-ready.