SRINAGAR: Commuters across several districts of the Kashmir Valley have raised serious concerns over severe overcrowding in smart city buses, alleging that buses designed to carry 30 to 40 passengers are routinely transporting nearly 80 to 90 commuters, creating unsafe and highly uncomfortable travel conditions.
Passengers said the worsening rush during peak morning and evening hours has turned daily commuting into a major struggle, with many forced to stand in overcrowded buses for long distances. The growing pressure has led commuters to demand an immediate increase in the number of smart red buses on major routes to meet rising passenger demand.
Commuters described the situation as a serious safety issue, blaming the shortage of buses for daily overcrowding.
“This is not just an inconvenience; it is a major safety concern. Buses are packed far beyond their capacity every day, and passengers are suffering because of the shortage of vehicles,” a commuter said.
Several passengers acknowledged the benefits of the smart transport initiative but argued that the existing fleet is insufficient to handle Srinagar’s increasing commuter load.
“We appreciate the smart bus service, but authorities must understand that the current number of buses is not enough. More red buses are urgently needed to reduce overloading and ensure safe public transport,” another commuter said.
Shahid Hussain, a smart city bus driver, said that while authorities have designated official bus stops, passengers often force drivers to halt at undeclared locations.
“Authorities have assigned designated stopping points, but people frequently compel us to stop at unauthorised places, while some women request to be dropped near their homes,” he said.
Furqan Baba, a daily passenger from Ganderbal working in Srinagar’s private company, criticised the operational inefficiency of the service.
“It feels more like a picnic than an organised public transport system because buses stop almost every minute. Sometimes the app also provides incorrect updates. This is not a special service; it often feels below normal standards,” he said.
Residents have urged the administration and Srinagar Smart City authorities to expand the fleet, deploy additional buses on high-demand routes, and strictly regulate passenger capacity.
However, the demand for more buses has triggered opposition from local transporters, who recently observed a one-day strike against the government’s proposal to increase the number and capacity of smart buses in the Valley.
Transporters argued that the existing smart city buses already threaten their livelihoods, and any further expansion would severely impact their earnings. They appealed to the government to immediately halt plans to increase smart bus operations, citing concerns over economic survival.
Transport observers believe that without swift intervention, continued overcrowding could compromise commuter safety, while the dispute between public demand and private transport operators may further complicate Kashmir’s urban transport challenges.
The mounting public outcry has intensified pressure on authorities to strike a balance between safe, efficient public transport expansion and the concerns of traditional transport operators.
