A banner offering Rs 3,000 for referring new drivers to the AMA Bus service went viral on social media, triggering sharp public criticism over the alleged hiring of inexperienced drivers and their link to rising road accidents involving the buses.
The banner, reportedly put up inside an EV charging station-cum-depot, advertised a “Driver Referral Program” under which the referrer would get Rs 1,500 when the new driver joins and another Rs 1,500 after the driver completes two months of service. It listed two mobile numbers — +91-7008998636 and +91-7205623501 — as contacts for the depot supervisor and manager.
The poster drew immediate backlash, with citizens accusing authorities of prioritising referrals over qualifications and experience, leading to the deployment of untrained drivers. Many labelled the AMA Bus as “Yama Bus” and blamed lax recruitment for frequent accidents, including a recent incident on January 3 in Bhubaneswar in which an auto-rickshaw driver was killed.
Following widespread condemnation, Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), which operates AMA Bus services, issued a clarification stating that the banner was put up without any official permission and is completely fake. CRUT authorities said strict action would be taken against the persons associated with the listed mobile numbers.
Chandrasekharpur police have been informed and will investigate how the banner appeared inside the depot. Police plan to question EV station staff and examine CCTV footage from inside and outside the premises.
CRUT emphasised that no such referral incentive program exists and urged the public not to fall for misleading advertisements.
Public concern over driver training and recruitment standards in AMA Bus services has been growing, with citizens demanding stricter qualification criteria, proper training, and regular vehicle maintenance to ensure passenger safety.
