Woes come as PM urges shift to public transport amid rising fuel prices
At a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is urging citizens to reduce dependence on petrol and increasingly adopt public transport and carpooling, Goa’s struggling public transport system is leaving daily commuters frustrated and helpless.
The spotlight has once again fallen on the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL), with regular passengers alleging severe irregularities in bus services on key routes across the State.
Socorro resident Gary Azavedo, a frequent user of public transport, has raised concerns over what he describes as a “persistent pattern of irregular bus service” affecting commuters on major routes including Panjim–Mapusa via Socorro, Mapusa–Panjim via Socorro, Panjim–Margao KTC shuttle services, Margao–Vasco, Margao–Sanvordem and other connecting routes.
According to Azavedo, buses often fail to operate on schedule, resulting in long waiting hours, overcrowding and uncertainty for passengers who depend entirely on public transport for work, education and daily travel.
“It is ironic that citizens are being encouraged to use public transport and reduce fuel consumption, but the public transport system itself is unreliable. I have personally faced untold hardship and trauma because of these irregular services, and I can understand the suffering of women, senior citizens and office-goers who rely on these buses every day,” Azavedo said.
Goa has long struggled with an inadequate and inconsistent public transport network, forcing many residents to rely on private vehicles. The situation has also impacted tourism patterns, with domestic tourists preferring rented bikes, taxis or bringing their own vehicles rather than depending on state-run buses.
Azavedo said he has repeatedly lodged complaints with KTCL management through official complaint books maintained at the Panaji and Margao KTC bus stands, besides regularly reporting the issue through the corporation’s official WhatsApp complaint number.
Despite this, he claims there has been little improvement on the ground.
“The complaints are officially recorded, but commuters continue to suffer. There appears to be no accountability or urgency in resolving the issue,” he alleged.
Attempts to contact KTCL officials reportedly yielded no response, with repeated calls going unanswered.
Commuters say the issue goes beyond inconvenience and reflects the urgent need for Goa to strengthen its public transport infrastructure if it genuinely wants people to move away from private vehicles and support environmentally sustainable travel.
