Kolkata’s Local Bus Notebook (Medium)

Kolkata’s local bus service, with a nearly 200-year history, evolved from horse-drawn carriages in 1830 to a vast network of modern, eco-friendly vehicles. Key milestones include the introduction of motor buses in the 1920s, the rise of private syndicates, and the establishment of government-run services (CSTC) after independence, transitioning today towards electric buses. The first horse-drawn bus service in Kolkata began on November 22, 1830, marking the inception of public bus transport. The first motorized double-decker bus was launched by Walford Company in 1926, followed by the Bengal Bus Syndicate in 1928. These early buses often had open upper decks, similar to those in London and Paris.