With no BMTC buses, commuters suffer

Strike impact: Alternative transport proves inadequate; pvt operators make a killing

Life in the city was paralysed on Monday as BMTC buses remained off the road on the first day of the indefinite strike by the employees of the State-run transport corporations (STCs), seeking a salary hike.

The Transport department had made alternative arrangements to mitigate the effect of the strike on the city’s commuters. However, this was no match to the  services rendered by the BMTC. Everyday, close to 50 lakh people use the service of the public transport utility, according to official data available with the Transport department.

For many, it was a challenge to reach workplaces. The office goers were forced to take mini buses, maxi cabs and autorickshaw to reach their workplace even as they were fleeced. Taking advantage of situation, autorickshaw drivers were seen demanding 200 to 300% more than the normal fare from hapless commuters. 

Heeding to the request from the Transport department, private bus owners stepped in and operated more buses to Bengaluru’s neighbouring districts. Besides, they had increased the frequency of the regular services.

Kavyasri from Mandya district arrived at KR Market here on Monday morning by a private bus to take an entrance examination.

But, Kavyasri could not reach the exam centre at Shanthinagar as she was asked to pay Rs 600-700 by an autorickshaw driver.

Chandrashekar Poojary, a HR executive, told Deccan Herald that he paid Rs 100 to travel from Hebbal to his office in Shivajinagar. Normally, he spends just Rs 19 as he takes a BMTC bus.

Private buses were allowed to ferry passengers from Kempegowda bus station (KBS) to neighbouring districts such as Chikkaballapura, Kolar, Mandya and Ramanagara.

With many private buses plying, commuters bound for destinations outside Bengaluru did not feel the heat of the strike.

The services of buses belonging to transport corporations of the neighbouring states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were not affected.

In fact, they plied more buses in view of the strike.