With schools deciding to call junior students in a staggered manner and drawing varied schedules for their on-campus activities, school buses and pool cars did not operate to their full capacity on Wednesday.
Operators of school buses said around 50 per cent of their fleet strength of around 4,500 was operational during the day. Pool car operators said only about 20 per cent of the 2,000-odd cars ferried students.
“Several parents who have contacted us over the last two days said they would like to watch how things play out over the next few days before hiring our services,” said Sudip Dutta, secretary of the Pool Car Owners Welfare Association.
“A handful of pool car operators took out their vehicles on the first day (of reopening of schools for junior students). Hopefully, over the next few weeks the demand will rise and more cars will be operational,” he said.
“Several schools do not operate in full capacity around this time. So the demand for school buses remains low. The schools will require the full fleet of buses after their new session begins in April,” said Himadri Ganguly, general secretary of the West Bengal Contract Carriage Owners and Operators Association.
“Around 50 per cent of the fleet of school buses were operational today.”
The mother of a Class III student at Sanskrit Collegiate School said classes for juniors would now be held for three days a week. “Hiring a pool car now won’t be economical,” she said.