Even though the state government was taking all efforts to maintain normal transport service, only a few MTC buses were seen on the roads on Wednesday, the seventh day of the strike by the crew.
Youth clinging on to the windows of an MTC bus in Chennai on Wednesday
Chennai:
However, the MTC claimed that 50 per cent of buses were operated. The corporation exuded confidence that normal service would be restored from Thursday. Buses were plied to Koyambedu, Tiruverkadu, Tambaram, Avadi and some areas in the city and the suburbs. Owing to low frequency in services, commuters, especially office-goers and students had to wait for long hours. Many were forced to take shared-fare mobility services at an exorbitant rate.
Meanwhile, MTC officials said, out of 3,200 buses, 1,756 were operated on Wednesday. “We hired 230 temporary drivers, but only 200 turned up for duty. We plan to operate 60-70 per cent of buses on mofussil routes to tackle Pongal rush,” said an official.
When asked about operation of small buses, the officials replied, “The entire fleet will be on roads from Thursday.”
Transport union members refuting the claim of the MTC, said that the corporation was operating less than 20 per cent of the total number of vehicles. “Also, officials have instructed the branch managers to inform the drivers to take the buses out of the depots in an effort to create an image that all vehicles are plying normally,” said K Natarajan, Treasurer of Labour Progressive Federation.
The effect of the strike is intense in interior parts and rural pockets, as people are unable to shop for Pongal due to poor connectivity. Therefore, the government should hold talks with the unions and end the strike, he added.
Temporary driver misses route
Tiruchy: Tense moments continued among passengers after temporary drivers were allowed to drive the vehicles. It is said, a TNSTC bus that was proceeding from Chathiram bus stand to Viralimalai, got struck at the Karur-bypass after the driver was manoeuvring the bus in a different direction, thus inconveniencing the passengers. Meanwhile, a woman died in an accident when an omni bus, in which she was travelling, accidentally hit the median on the road. Sources said the bus was proceeding to Chidambaram from Thiruvanandapuram with 50 passengers. The accident occurred when the bus reached Kodumbalur Chathiram near Viralimalai. Many passengers were trapped under the bus and 12 sustained severe injuries.
Over 40 percent of buses off roads in Kovai
Coimbatore: As stalemate over talks with transport unions continued, over 40 per cent of the government buses stayed off the road in Coimbatore and other Western districts on Wednesday. Commuters panicked as inexperienced drivers were at the wheels and caused mishaps. Many buses ran empty as passengers preferred private buses. A high drama prevailed in Tirupur district, when an acting driver refused to drive the bus on the hill route in Ooty. Temporary driver Selvam halted the bus on the Dharapuram bypass road, stopped a town bus going through the way and pleaded with its driver to exchange duties. Hundreds of workers held a demonstration in front of the labour office seeking wage revision and a charter of other demands. They threatened to observe a one-day fast on Thursday.
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