Shimla Schools Face Transport Challenge as HRTC Ends Bus Services
The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has decided to discontinue school bus services for private and convent schools in Shimla city starting from the upcoming academic session. This decision, driven by financial losses and a shortage of buses, has left schools urgently seeking alternative transportation for their students.
Schools such as St. Edward, Jesus and Mary, Loreto Convent Tara Hall, Auckland, Sacred Heart Dhali, Stokes Memorial School Pujarli, DAV New Shimla, and DAV Tutu have received letters from HRTC informing them of the change. These schools, which depended on HRTC buses across 56 routes, must now arrange their own transport solutions before the new session begins.
HRTC Chief General Manager Pankaj Singhal explained that the corporation faces an annual loss of ₹16–20 crore from operating school buses at concessional rates. The buses are used exclusively for school runs, limiting their availability for other routes and adding to the financial burden.
“The corporation has a shortage of buses and cannot continue this service without incurring significant losses,” said Singhal. “We have communicated this decision well in advance to ensure schools have enough time to prepare.”
HRTC’s school transport services catered to students within a 20-kilometer radius of Shimla city. This decision is expected to create logistical challenges for private schools, which will now need to arrange their own fleet of buses or rely on private transport providers. Parents may also face higher transportation costs and concerns over the safety and reliability of new arrangements.
