Villagers, bus staff argue over seating norm
In a tense incident this morning, a scuffle ensued between state transport employees and passengers in Daula village, Gidderbaha, after the former refused to allow more passengers than the fixed sitting capacity on a PRTC bus traveling from Gidderbaha to Bathinda. The situation escalated when the bus staff prevented waiting passengers, including students, from boarding the vehicle at the bus stop on the Malout-Bathinda highway in Daula village.
Frustration among the waiting passengers reached a boiling point, leading to a minor scuffle between them and the bus staff. Subsequently, the bus staff decided to block the highway, causing significant inconvenience to other commuters in the area.
Upon receiving information about the altercation, a police party promptly arrived at the scene and took two youngsters involved in the scuffle to the police station. However, as of now, no formal complaint has been lodged by any party involved.
Some residents of Daula village expressed their concerns, suggesting that the state government should either increase the number of buses on this route or permit buses to carry passengers beyond the designated sitting capacity.
Gidderbaha DSP Jasbir Singh provided information about the incident, stating that a verbal altercation occurred between the passengers and the PRTC staff. However, at present, no official complaint has been registered regarding the incident. The situation underscores the need for a resolution to address the concerns of both passengers and transport staff on this particular route.
