RTC workers' strike begins in Karnataka, bus services hit

Private buses, maxi cabs and other transport services were seen operating in different parts of the city, coming to the rescue of stranded passengers.

Bus services were affected in most parts of Karnataka on Wednesday as drivers and conductors of road transport corporations began their indefinite strike on wage-related issues. Commuters were left stranded at bus stations across the city, with Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses remaining off the roads.Similar reports are emerging from various parts of the state. Bus services in several cities, including Bengaluru, were thrown out of gear from Tuesday afternoon itself after drivers and conductors decided not to work the second shift. Passengers travelling to and from distant areas and office-goers were the most affected. Several universities in the state have postponed exams because of the RTC workers strike. The government has tried to make alternate arrangements by roping in private transport operators, and has sought deployment of more trains, aimed at addressing inconvenience caused to the public due to the stir. Private buses, maxi cabs and other transport services were seen operating in different parts of the city, coming to the rescue of stranded passengers. However, their operators said the number of passengers was not as usual and was scarce. They said many passengers are using their own vehicles or have made arrangements on their own. People were also seen using cabs, metro and auto rickshaws in the city.