BUS YATRA : THE FIRST OF IT'S KIND
                                                                       

                                                                                PRESS RELEASE

Bus Jatra 4.0 to celebrate the women who keep Kolkata's buses moving
Four buses, a century-old route, Kolkata's first Bus Jatra minibus and stories of women behind the city's public transport

Kolkata, September 2026:

The Kolkata Bus-o-Pedia Foundation is pleased to announce the fourth edition of Bus Jatra, to be held on 2nd October 2026, with this year's celebration dedicated to the women who have helped keep buses on the streets and public transport moving.

Since its inception in 2023, Bus Jatra has sought to celebrate the rich heritage, everyday importance and continuing evolution of buses in Bengal, since the year 1830. This year, the event will turn the spotlight towards the women whose contribution to the bus ecosystem often remains unseen.

A special highlight will be Route 57, Kona to Esplanade, represented by a bus owned by Smt. Dolly Rana, who herself serves as the bus conductor. Through her story, Bus Jatra 4.0 will celebrate women who are not merely passengers and users of public transport, but are themselves an integral part of the workforce that keeps buses running every day.

Beyond the story of Smt. Dolly Rana, Bus Jatra 4.0 will shine a light on the many women who contribute to Kolkata’s public transport, as conductors, drivers, bus owners, transport staff and officials. Their presence reflects the changing face of the city’s bus workforce and the important role women continue to play in keeping public transport accessible and moving every day. Women drivers can also be found on routes such as Diamond Harbour to Kolkata, Nimta to Howrah Minibus and even Route 34C, Noapara to Esplanade.
Through Bus Jatra 4.0, we hope to recognise and celebrate each of these women and their contribution to keeping Kolkata’s buses moving.

As part of this year's programme, the workforce that keeps buses running every day.

The Foundation will also felicitate female bus conductors of the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) in recognition of their contribution to public transportation.

Bus Jatra 4.0 will feature four buses, each representing a different facet of Bengal's bus heritage and contemporary public transport:

1) WBTC AC CNG Bus – Symbolising West Bengal's move towards cleaner fuels and greener public transport.

2) Route 29 Minibus | Tikiapara–Salt Lake – A Kolkata minibus featured at Bus Jatra for the first time, celebrating the unique legacy of the City's beloved minibuses.

3) Route 57 | Kona–Esplanade – Owned by Smt. Dolly Rana, who also serves as its conductor, highlighting the contribution of women who keep our buses running.

4) Route 52 | Ramrajatala–Esplanade – A century-old route returning to Bus Jatra, after we celebrated its 100th anniversary during our inaugural edition in 2023.

Date: 2nd October 2026
Starting Point: Howrah Maidan
Start Time: 1:30 PM
Rabindra Sadan: Approximately 2:30 PM
Return Journey: 3:40 PM onwards