Jamshedpur students pay more for local commutes with public transport failure

Demand for student bus services grows across Kolhan University colleges

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, April 7:  Widely recognized as an industrial hub with robust infrastructure, Jamshedpur is facing a growing crisis in its higher education ecosystem—not inside classrooms, but on the roads. Thousands of students studying under Kolhan University are grappling with severe transportation challenges, making their daily commute to college both expensive and exhausting.

The city is home to six major constituent colleges under Kolhan University, including Graduate College, Jamshedpur Women’s University, Co-operative College, Workers College, ABM College and LBSM College. These institutions attract not only urban students but also a significant number from remote rural areas. For many of these students, accessing education has become increasingly difficult due to the lack of reliable and affordable public transportation.

In a city that prides itself on development and industrial growth, the absence of a functional municipal bus service presents a stark contradiction. Students often find themselves forced to rely on private auto-rickshaws, which charge exorbitant fares. On average, a student spends between Rs 70 and Rs 100 daily on commuting—an amount that significantly strains families from economically weaker sections.

Despite tall claims of promoting women’s education, the situation at Jamshedpur Women’s University remains far from satisfactory. While the university administration has introduced a bus service, it operates merely as a shuttle between the old and new campuses. This limited service fails to address the needs of students commuting from different parts of the city and nearby rural areas.

Students argue that the responsibility of the university and administration should extend beyond campus boundaries. For those traveling long distances, often from areas like Sonari, Kadma, Baridih, Adityapur, and Parsudih, the daily journey has become a struggle marked by uncertainty and financial burden.

Until a few years ago, municipal buses operated on key routes across the city, providing affordable and relatively safe transportation for students. However, over time, these services have either been discontinued or drastically reduced. Even on routes where buses are still available, their frequency is too low to meet demand.

In the absence of public transport, private auto-rickshaw operators have effectively filled the gap. However, this has led to issues of overcharging and overcrowding, with many vehicles carrying passengers beyond permissible limits. Students often report feeling unsafe during these commutes, especially during peak hours.

One of the primary demands raised by student organizations is the introduction of fare concessions. Unlike other major cities where students benefit from subsidized travel passes, Jamshedpur offers no such relief. Private auto drivers do not honor student concessions, leaving students with no choice but to pay full fares or miss classes.

The consequences of this transportation crisis extend beyond inconvenience. Many students are forced to skip lectures or arrive late for examinations due to the unavailability of transport. In some cases, the high cost of commuting contributes to increased dropout rates, particularly among students from rural and low-income backgrounds.

Every day, large groups of students can be seen waiting outside college campuses, hoping for a ride. This recurring scene reflects not just an infrastructural gap but also an administrative oversight. Students have urged authorities to introduce “student special” buses on major routes, with schedules aligned to college timings.

There are also calls to repair and redeploy idle city buses that are currently lying unused. Experts believe that with proper planning and coordination, restoring the municipal transport system is entirely feasible.

The growing dissatisfaction among students is now beginning to take the shape of a potential protest movement. For them, this issue is not merely about convenience but about their fundamental right to access education without undue hardship.

Meanwhile, the silence of the government and district administration has raised serious concerns. In a city supported by major industrial players, including the Tata Group, establishing a well-organized and affordable transport network should not be an insurmountable challenge.

Authorities have indicated that if a structured proposal is developed at the government level, bus services could be reinstated across key routes. In the past, colleges had even explored partnerships with transport operators through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to revive services.

However, until concrete steps are taken, students in Jamshedpur will continue to face an uphill battle—one that begins long before they enter the classroom.