RTOs crack down on pvt buses ‘using state’ names

Kolkata: Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across Bengal have launched a crackdown on private buses illegally mimicking state transport corporations, following complaints that female passengers were being misled and harassed.The state govt introduced free travel for women on govt buses on June 1, 2026. However, several private operators have been exploiting the policy by painting their vehicles in the official blue-and-white colour scheme and using confusing acronyms like NBTS, MBTSG and MMT to mimic the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC), West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) and South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC).On Sunday, Malda RTO Anupam Chakraborty led a surprise enforcement drive at the Gourkanya Bus Terminus. Officials stripped misleading logos, removed stickers and painted over deceptive brand names with black ink on private buses.Malda depot in-charge Maloy Karmakar noted that while the blue-and-white scheme is regulatory for NBSTC, private buses were deliberately causing confusion. State officials confirmed that all district RTOs have been directed to strictly ensure no private operator uses namesakes of state-run corporations.