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General number series (1 - 99) and 200 Bus series (201 - 262) Out of these, some (like 15, 33) were government buses (including the famous double-decker red buses), while most others were the most common private buses of Kolkata. We can observe that in this series routes are not available for some numbers like 25, 31, 50, 60. It is because either some route numbers have a prefixed version (like L16 or L20) or permits were issued with those numbers but no bus operator was interested in running the route with those numbers. Such gaps can be found in all route series of Kolkata. Most government buses of this series have recently been replaced by their counterparts with an ‘S’ or ‘M’ prefix. Similarly, some private buses may also have ‘L’ or ‘E’ prefixes. The 200 series of bus routes were started from 1981 and can be considered as an extension to the General bus series. Similar numberings are also given by Howrah and Hoogly RTAs. All RTAs have their independent system of numbering, so 2 different routes may end up having the same number based on RTA issued. Minibus series (1 - 45 in Howrah and S101 to S190 in Kolkata) These smaller buses were started from around 1980, especially keeping in mind the office commuters. Earlier standing was not allowed in them, but due to the huge population, this rule was evoked. Most buses start from diverse locations in the city and end at the centre of the city (applicable for both). In South 24 Parganas, we have the M series of minibus routes serving as district connections. DN and SD series These routes are specially designated for districts North 24 Parganas (Barasat RTA) and South 24 Parganas (Alipore RTA). Most of them run within the respective districts but some buses do serve the metropolitan area as well. Along with DN series, MM and MN series of private buses are also available for interior areas of North 24 Parganas. JM series This series of routes was started from 2009 with the big buses received from Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) (Such buses were also run by normal RTA routes of Kolkata.) Owing to huge maintenance costs, most of the buses (most routes also) have been scrapped, but still some are available. K and KB and KS series These series of routes were started in around 2009 - 10 and 2014 respectively, K probably means Kolkata and KB means Kolkata Border (probably because of covering newer areas). Some employ small buses while others have buses similar to normal RTA buses. Also, we have some more minibuses like the KS series which also form some of the important routes in Kolkata and suburbs, however many are yet to be launched. Numberless RTA / STA buses There are a lot of RTA and STA permit private buses which are not numbered and are known by their source and destinations. Examples of RTA buses: Rajarhat to Nabanna and Chakla to Karunamoyee Examples of STA buses: Barasat Bgarden, Barasat Baruipur, etc. West Bengal Government Operated buses WBTC operated West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) is a West Bengal state government undertaken corporation. It plies buses, trams and ferries in the state. It was formed by merging existing state transport agencies, namely the Calcutta State Transport Corporation, the Calcutta Tramways Company and the West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation. WBTC was formed in the year 2016, and has since remained the governing body for most of the government-operated city bus routes in Kolkata (urban and suburban). WBTC (CSTC) non AC buses (S series (mostly), M, E series and others) These are the non AC government buses run by the CSTC wing of WBTC. Most employ either Ashok Leyland Janbus, Tata Marcopolo 1613 or 1624 buses. WBTC ( CTC) non AC buses (C, D, E, T series and others) These buses are run by the CTC wing of WBTC. They are mainly divided in 4 series, C means City services, D means District services, E means Express services (long routes), and so on. The CTC wing of WBTC mainly operated the following buses: Eicher 10.75, 10.90, 20.15, Tata 1512c Jupiter, Marcopolo 1613, and Ashok Leyland, Viking and Cheetah. WBTC (CSTC) AC buses (AC series) These routes were started in around 2014 and have been quite popular since then. Out of them, some routes employ Volvo 8400 buses, while most others employ Ashok Leyland Janbus (AC version). Since facilities in Volvo buses are a bit more than those in Janbuses, so the fare slab in those buses is higher than that in Janbuses. The minimum fare of the Ac buses are fixed at Rs. 20. There is an increment of Rs. 5 per distance slab in the Janbuses and the Electric buses, while there is an increment of Rs. 10 per slab for a Volvo. The CSTC wing of WBTC also operates smaller Ashok Leyland Lynx Smart buses and Tata 712 AC buses and they follow a similar fare structure to those of the Janbuses. Electric buses have been recently launched by the WBTC, in order to combat the pollution levels of Kolkata. Tata Ultra 9m and Tata 12m electric buses are being currently operated by them. WBTC (CTC) AC buses (ACT series, EB Series, BE Series) WBTC(CTC) employs Volvo or Bebbco buses in the form of ACT series and Banglashree express(BE) series. Generally, Volvo 9400, Volvo 9100 and Ashok Leyland 12m AC buses are used by the CTC. Examples: ACT3, ACT13, etc. The CTC wing of WBTC is known to operate Tata 9m AC Electric buses. The series is known as EB series. Examples: EB1, EB3, etc. WBTC(WBSTC) non AC buses (ST, AS series) These buses are run by the WBSTC wing of WBTC. ST series of buses are run by WBSTC themselves(Example: ST6, ST7, etc), while AS series of buses are run by franchisees(Example: AS3) WBTC(WBSTC) AC buses (VS series) VS series of buses were started in around 2008 and are run by WBSTC themselves. They employ Volvo 8400 buses(JNNURM Phase1). Earlier, V series of buses also used to operate with similar buses in partnership with Kaushik Global Logistics Private Limited. But due to heavy outstanding loans the company withdrew its services. Now 2 of its routes, V1 and V9 are operated by CSTC wing of WBTC. South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) SBSTC is known to operate several express services to various parts of Southern Bengal. Numerous services are available from Kolkata, which connect various parts of other districts. North Bengal State Transport Corporation (N BSTC) NBSTC is known to operate several express services to various parts of Northern Bengal. Numerous services are available from Kolkata, which connect various parts of other districts of Northern Bengal. The Kolkata to Siliguri route and the Kolkata to Malda routes are two of the most important routes operated by NBSTC. Buses of Kolkata: About Us

Our Motto: Celebration of 100 years of route number 52 and the last operational wooden bus of Howrah/Kolkata districts, belonging to route number 56. Route 52 : Ramrajatala to Esplanade, operational since 1923-24. WB 11B 3986 belonging to route number 56 , is probably the last operational wooden bus of Kolkata (Urban/Sub-urban). BUS YATRA Bus Yatra 1.0 Today we started our journey from Ramrajatala Old Bus Stand, opposite the iconic Ramraja Temple. A place, which used to be the century-old route number 52's home, prior to the buses of the route getting shifted to the new bus stand. We slowly moved towards Howrah Maidan, whereby we were joined by the Electric AC bus of WBTC. The last piece of our puzzle was completed at Howrah Railway Station, when the last surviving wooden bus belonging to route number 56, joined our convoy. Around 12 pm, we started moving towards Howrah Bridge, en route to Esplanade. It was after years, a wooden bus actually crossed the Howrah Bridge. Finally, we arrived at Esplanade (right in front of Metro Cinema), whereby the three buses were parked one after the other. The order of the buses was as follows: 1) Wooden bus of route 56, 2) Exhibition inside Route 52, 3) WBTC Electric Bus. Our event was inaugurated by the Honourable Managing Director of West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC), Shri Rajanvir Singh Kapur, IAS. The buses were then kept open to the public for them to witness the exhibition inside route 52, the charm of the nostalgic wooden bus, and the cool breeze of the AC bus. The main purpose of the event we re: A) To celebrate the century-old existence of route number 52. B)To celebrate the last wooden bus of South Bengal belonging to route number 56. C) This year also marks the 75th year of Calcutta State Transport Corporation, as well as the celebration of 100 years of bus operation by Calcutta Tramways Company, with both being glorious parts of WBTC. The buses were parked at Esplanade for around an hour, following which we started our journey towards Howrah Maidan. En route, we made small halts near the Reserve Bank of India and the Bamkim Setu, to click iconic photos/videos. After completing our photo sessions, we proceeded towards our final destination at Howrah Maidan. At Howrah Maidan, a parade was held comprising the three buses, our members and members of the Second Howrah District, Boy Scouts of Bengal. This was followed by the felicitation of the bus drivers and conductors taking part in our event. They were also given a guard of honour for their outstanding services to society. Thus we concluded our Bus Yatra 1.0 after a successful day. This was our first event going solo, and we're excited to share that over 500 men/women (including senior citizens) and children attended the Bus Yatra. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to: 1 ) Shri Rajanvir Singh Kapur, MD, WBTC, for his kind support. 2) Shri Tito Saha, General Secretary, City Suburban Bus Service, 3) Shri Rahul Chatterjee, General Secretary, All Bengal Bus Minibus Sammanoy, 4) Shri Bholanath Chowdhury, Route Secretary, Route 52 and 58, 5) Sanjib Patra, Route Secretary, Route 63 and Alliance, 6) Lions Club of Calcutta Circular, 7) Lokenath Bus Service, 8) SwitchOn Foundation, 9)S.P. Enterprise, 10) Pran Potato Cracker 11) Banglar Bhoboghure 1.0 12) Second Howrah District, Boy Scouts of Bengal and all the members, admins, moderators and all the attendees of the Bus Yatra. We promise to host something even bigger and better next year. Till then stay tuned with Team Kolkata bus-o-pedia. Thank you once again. 🙏🏻 With sincere regards, Aniket Banerjee, General Secretary, Kolkata bus-o-pedia.

Tramjatra Our team has organized Tramjatra which is done on a regular basis (every week) across the operational tram routes like 5, 25, 24/29, 15/12 etc. With the help of some volunteers from our tramways counterparts, we assemble at a tram terminus in demand of more trams in respective routes which are closed now since a long time, an organized timetable for the passengers to know that trams are still operational inside our city. Further we boarded a tram from that respective terminus and on the way we interacted with the passengers about the importance of the tramways in their daily life and the need to extend the operations of the tramways. We collected signatures from the passengers and distributed leaflets to the same. Local people from various areas and media also supported us in this campaign like the residents near Rabindra Sarani supported us very much in restoring tram routes there as tramways were the only dependable means of transport through that area. With the collection of mass signatures and the importance of trams in some areas, we forward these things to the local authorities hoping for a quick surge for the tramways. Notable example, we also worked for the restoration of one of the famous tram routes like 18 & 36 which used to run between Bidhannagar to Howrah Bridge and Khidirpur to Esplanade respectively and appealed for restoration of tram tracks near Esplanade, BBD Bag, Belgachia area and across the city where day by day the tram tracks were pulled off and maintenance of wooden body trams which signifies our glorious past. Tramjatra: Text

Save route 3 A programme was conducted by our team with the effort to revive the legendary route 3 of Hooghly RTA, whose fleet has been reduced drastically without replacements, the reason being the extensive increase in the number of small vehicles. A legendary route which was once the only local connection between North Kolkata and Hooghly's Serampore was standing at the verge of extinction. With KBOPs valiant efforts we started collecting signatures from the local people and shopkeepers near Serampore Station who had supported the initiative a lot. In fact a number of people from around the city seemed to be very happy as they faced inconveniences because of the drastic reduction in fleet count, as they needed this bus service a lot for their daily commutation. The owners also supported and helped us to reintroduce this legendary route again. Finally with everyone's support, encouragement and media coverage we helped Hooghly 3 to relaunch another bus and the route is now successfully alive with 2 buses running every day. Before this pandemic lockdown, it used to visit Salt Lake and Bagbazar but due to ongoing demand and absence of local trains between GT Road, it usually runs up to Dakshineshwar. Our efforts and campaign were successful and we were very much grateful to everyone who supported us in saving the legendary route 3. In fact, we would like to extend our gratitude to Mr. Sudip Goswami, owner of WB15A0663 for his assistance and cooperation in our attempt to make this programme successful. Save Route 3: Text

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