Employees of Karnataka’s state-owned transport corporations began an indefinite strike on Tuesday morning, severely affecting public bus services across the state and leaving passengers in the lurch. The unions went ahead with the strike despite a court stay, pressing demands including wage revision. Buses remained parked at depots and only a few were seen running, as some staff chose not to participate in the strike.
Some buses in rural areas operated as a few drivers opted to work for the convenience of students to ferry them to their schools, said sources in the transport department. Due to disruption in bus services, attendance in schools, colleges and offices was thin. The transport corporations are learned to have roped in trainee bus drivers to manage the situation. Also, the private buses were also allowed to ply from the government bus terminals.
Bus stands in major cities like Bengaluru, Chikkamagaluru, Raichur, Chitradurga, Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru, Hassan, Madikeri, Shivamogga, and Kalaburagi saw heavy passenger rush, with thousands stranded and struggling to find alternate ways to reach their destinations.