3 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Private school bus operators in Bathinda, Barnala and Mansa are keeping their vehicles off the roads on September 3 as they hold a Maha Panchayat in Bathinda to press for their demands.
The protest is expected to disrupt school transportation in the three districts, although schools themselves are not uniformly closed. A late-night clarification from the private school federation said schools would open as usual on September 3.
Bus Operators to Hold Maha Panchayat in Bathinda
Private school and college bus operators from across Punjab are expected to participate in the Maha Panchayat at Dana Mandi in Bathinda.
The operators are protesting over transport-related demands and seeking a separate policy for school and college buses, including relief from what they describe as high taxes and regulatory burdens.
School Bus Services Affected
With operators participating in the protest, private school bus services in Bathinda, Barnala and Mansa are expected to remain suspended for the day.
Parents whose children normally depend on school buses may therefore need to arrange alternative transportation.
Schools to Remain Open
The situation created confusion over whether private schools would also shut during the protest.
A subsequent clarification by the Private School Federation said its earlier advisory supporting the bus operators’ protest had been withdrawn. Schools in Bathinda, Barnala and Mansa were consequently expected to function normally on September 3, while individual schools retained the option to take their own decision.
This means the bus strike should not be treated as a blanket school holiday across the three districts.
Why Are Bus Operators Protesting?
The operators are seeking changes to the government’s transport policy for vehicles used by private schools and colleges.
Their demands include a separate transport framework and lower tax-related burdens for school buses. Operators say the existing costs and rules are making it increasingly difficult to run school transportation services.
Large Participation Expected
The Bathinda gathering is expected to draw school bus drivers and transporters from several parts of Punjab.
Transporters from Gurdaspur and Sri Hargobindpur Sahib are also expected to participate in the Maha Panchayat, according to reports.
Rain Warning Adds to Transport Concerns
The protest comes on a day when Punjab is also under a heavy-rain warning.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall in Punjab on September 3, adding another potential challenge for students and parents travelling to and from schools.
Parents Advised to Check School Messages
Since schools are not uniformly closed, parents should rely on direct communication from their children’s schools regarding transport arrangements.
Students who normally use private school buses may have to make alternative travel arrangements for the day.
Protest Could Affect Daily Commute
The suspension of school bus services could affect thousands of students and families who rely on private transport operators.
The impact is expected to be particularly noticeable in areas where schools depend heavily on contracted buses and vans for daily transportation.
Government Under Pressure
The Maha Panchayat puts pressure on the Punjab government to address the transporters’ concerns.
The operators are seeking policy changes that they believe would make school and college transportation financially viable while allowing them to comply with safety and regulatory requirements.
No Blanket School Holiday
The key distinction for parents is that September 3 is not a blanket school holiday in Bathinda, Barnala or Mansa because of the bus operators’ protest.
Schools are expected to remain open unless an individual institution announces otherwise, while school bus services may remain disrupted because of the protest.