Another hard day for commuters

Some buses hit the road after drivers return to work fearing action from the government

Even as the strike of KSRTC employees entered the second day on Thursday, a few buses hit the road after over a dozen drivers returned to work and ferried passengers on certain routes following the State government’s warning to cut salaries. However, the key public transport mode continued to remain paralysed despite the alternative transport arrangements made roping in private operators. Though private buses, maxi-cabs, mini buses and other passenger transport vehicles came to the rescue of the stranded passengers, their numbers were limited and could not operate to many destinations, causing hardships to the travelling public. The Mysuru rural division alone operates 5,800 trips daily from 575 buses. About 125-150 private buses were providing alternate transport services which were inadequate to meet the travel needs of the public banking on the main public transport like KSRTC.