Shillong, Meghalaya — July 2025: Amidst the modern chaos of fast cars and app-based cabs, there still roams a modest yet historic vehicle that has quietly endured the test of time — the Smit Bus. Known affectionately by locals as “Smit,” this iconic red-and-white bus is Shillong’s oldest surviving public transport system and a treasured part of the city’s collective memory.
Originally launched in the mid-20th century by the Smit family — one of the earliest entrepreneurs in the hill city — the Smit Bus has ferried generations of Shillongites across neighborhoods, hills, and valleys. Its unmistakable vintage frame and boxy structure are a familiar sight for both locals and tourists, evoking nostalgia and admiration in equal measure.
A Symbol of Reliability
While newer transportation modes have emerged, many still recall the dependability of the Smit Bus. In an era before online bookings and GPS tracking, this bus was a constant. It served major routes connecting Laitumkhrah, Police Bazaar, Mawprem, and other important areas. Elderly residents often recall how, for years, it was the only transport to school, to church, or to the bustling Bara Bazaar.
“Every morning at 8 a.m., we used to wait for the Smit Bus. It was always on time. That bus was more than a vehicle — it was part of our lives,” says Bah Rympei, a retired schoolteacher from Jaiaw.
An Engineering Marvel of Its Time
Built with a wooden frame reinforced by steel, the Smit Bus was designed to navigate the winding and often treacherous roads of the Khasi hills. It features sliding windows, hand-cranked mechanisms, and vintage headlamps — details that transport you back to a bygone era. Despite limited speed and no air conditioning, it offered an unmatched view of Shillong’s lush landscape and cool breeze.
Preserving the Past
Today, only one or two Smit Buses remain functional, largely maintained by enthusiasts and the surviving family members of the original owners. While not in regular operation, the bus is sometimes seen during heritage parades, local exhibitions, or special routes during festivals.
There are growing calls from local historians and transport activists to preserve this iconic vehicle in a transport museum or a heritage park. “This bus is not just a mode of transport — it’s Shillong’s moving heritage,” says Kynpham Wahlang, a heritage researcher.
More Than Just a Bus
To many Shillong residents, the Smit Bus is a reminder of a simpler, more grounded time — a period when community mattered more than convenience. It has witnessed changing governments, growing urbanization, and the evolving culture of Meghalaya’s capital, yet it remains a proud and poignant symbol of the city’s journey.
In a world moving at breakneck speed, the Smit Bus reminds us to slow down, take a seat by the window, and enjoy the ride, just as generations before us once did.
