Bus strike: Passengers struggle with daily commute

They cannot rely on private bus operators, who have stepped in to fill the gap

The indefinite bus strike, which is set to enter its twelfth day on Sunday, has been particularly hard on citizens who are unable to work from home. These include domestic workers, factory employees, hospital staff who have been spending an increasing amount of their salaries on vans, autos and taxis to travel to work. Private bus operators, who have stepped in to fill the gap, are not reliable when it comes to operating at fixed times, said passengers. Bhavani, who was waiting for a bus at Majestic bus stand with her daughter on Saturday, had to go to a hospital in Bannerghatta Road. “The strike, especially during the time of the pandemic, is a huge inconvenience to us. There are very few BMTC buses on the roads, and autorickshaw drivers’ deamnds are beyond our means. Private buses do not leave the stand unless they fill all the seats. To get a bus, one has to wait for at least 30 minutes.”