Public transport services across Karnataka came to a standstill on Tuesday as workers from all four major road transport corporations launched a statewide strike, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.
The strike began at 6 AM and involved employees of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC).
The protesting workers are demanding:
- Release of 38 months of pending salaries
- Implementation of wage revision effective from January 1, 2024
- An end to privatisation and worker harassment
- Inclusion of existing drivers in the deployment of electric buses
The strike follows the breakdown of talks between transport unions and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, prompting workers to proceed with their protest despite the Karnataka High Court’s directive on Monday asking them to hold off the strike.
Major bus terminals such as the Hosur Regional Bus Terminal witnessed scenes of chaos, with long queues, confused passengers, and no clear information from transport officials.
One frustrated passenger told ANI, “We’ve been waiting for an hour with no idea if the bus will arrive. We had booked our tickets in advance, but there’s no clarity, and officials here have no answers.”
Another commuter said, “Even private buses are full. I need to travel urgently but I’m stuck with no alternatives. This is complete mismanagement.”
In response, the Karnataka government deployed police personnel at key bus stands and authorized private buses to temporarily operate on state transport routes. From the Majestic Bus Terminal, private buses began ferrying passengers, with ticket prices regulated to match government bus fares.
A private bus driver, Samir Pasha, confirmed, “We’ve been allowed to run buses on state routes, and prices are capped. Two of our buses are heading to Hassan shortly.”
Despite the court order and government measures, the ongoing strike continues to severely disrupt travel plans across Karnataka.
