01/06/2026
Beyond the Golden Jubilee: Is APST Still Arunachal Pradesh’s Transport Backbone
As Arunachal Pradesh State Transport (APST) celebrates its Golden Jubilee, emotions, nostalgia and memories are flooding social media. For generations, APST was not just a bus service but the lifeline of Arunachal Pradesh, connecting districts, villages, students, patients, workers and families across the state.
However, amid the celebrations, difficult questions are also emerging about its present condition and future role. While official figures show a large transport network, concerns remain over how many buses are actually operational, how dependable services are in remote areas and whether APST still holds the central role it once did.
With private operators and personal vehicles becoming increasingly dominant, the discussion goes beyond transport alone — touching on accessibility, governance, public accountability and transport inequality.
As the state marks 50 years of APST’s journey, many believe the Golden Jubilee should become not only a celebration of history and legacy, but also a moment for reflection, transparency, modernisation and a clear roadmap for revival.