Ama Bus service disruptions leave commuters stranded in Cuttack-Bhubaneswar

Regular and repeated disruptions in Ama Bus services in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have caused significant inconvenience to daily commuters, with multiple cancellations being reported in recent days.

On Tuesday morning, bus services from 6 am till around 8 am were entirely suspended, leaving many passengers stranded without alternative arrangements. 

Commuters, who rely on these services to reach workplaces, railway stations and airport, were especially affected.

Though the commuters alleged that no prior notice was issued regarding the suspension, CRUT on Monday (May 5) informed about the same on its official ‘X’ handle.

Information on APP Would Have Helped:

Users of the Ama Bus mobile application alleged that the app failed to display any alerts or updates on the cancellations. They also accused the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), which manages Ama Bus operations, of lack of communication and preparedness on the app, as a majority of people don’t rely on ‘X’ for such information.

Reports from OMP Square in Cuttack indicate that a large number of commuters waited for buses during the disrupted period, with many forced to seek other means of transport at the last minute. 

In recent days, commuters also alleged that buses scheduled between 6 am and 7 am are regularly cancelled or delayed, raising concerns about the consistency and reliability of the service.

Sneha Jena, a regular commuter of Ama Bus voiced her frustration and said, “It’s not just today, I’ve faced regular problems with the Route 18 bus. They cancel services without any information. At the very least, CRUT should inform passengers through the Ama Bus app or their official Instagram page. Students, patients, and office-goers depend entirely on this route and are suffering due to CRUT’s irregular timetable and mismanagement. The management must take note.”

Staff Express Uncertainty

Ama Bus conductors appeared uncertain when asked about the reasons behind the cancellations, with many avoiding direct answers. One conductor said, “The first few buses in the morning were cancelled entirely. We cannot say for certain when they will resume.”

Another conductor said, “CRUT may not be cancelling the buses outright, but instead introducing new schedules. Nearly 300 electric buses have been brought in for operation, and the delay in timings might be due to efforts to integrate these into the existing system.”

CRUT Cites Technical Glitch and Traffic as Causes for Recent Bus Delays

On condition of anonymity, a CRUT official said, “Today’s delay was an exception caused by a technical glitch in the Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM). However, the issue was promptly resolved.”

Addressing concerns over regular delays and cancellations, the official added, “Buses depart from their origin on schedule, but delays can occur due to traffic and other unforeseen circumstances. We also inform the public in advance whenever any route is expected to be affected.”