Kolkata, 02 December 2025: 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.
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