Kolkata, 07 October 2025 :
In the 1920s, when horse-drawn carriages and trams still graced the streets of Kolkata, privately owned buses made their debut in the city’s public transport landscape. By the 1930s, the Government of Bengal began regulating this growing system, introducing designated routes and formal structures.
Today, to honour Kolkata’s rich and illustrious transport heritage, a special commemorative event — “Bus Jatra 3.0” — was organised to mark 195 years of the city’s bus service. The celebration was hosted by the Kolkata Bus-O-Pedia team in collaboration with City Suburban Bus Service and the All Bengal Bus Minibus Samannay Samiti.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ankit Banerjee from the Kolkata Bus-O-Pedia team said, “From the earliest vintage buses to the most advanced Volvo models — the exhibition showcases the entire evolution of Kolkata’s bus transport under one roof. The city is now moving steadily towards a fully electric bus network in the coming years.”
Under the FAME India Mission, both the Government of West Bengal and the Central Government are planning to deploy over 500 electric buses across the city. Initiatives such as smart bus stops, GPS tracking, digital payment systems, and online timetables are also transforming Kolkata into a model for modern urban transit.
It is noteworthy that Kolkata’s bus service dates back to the 1820s, making it one of the first cities in the Indian subcontinent to introduce organised bus-based urban transport. “Bus Jatra 3.0” serves as a tribute to this remarkable legacy — a bridge between cherished memories of the past and the promise of a sustainable, technologically advanced future.
