Passengers travelling in APSRTC buses, including city services, were stranded as buses confined to depots on the first day of the indefinite strike launched by employees demanding 43 per cent fitment and other benefits.
The Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS) wore a deserted look and employees staged demonstrations in front of the bus station raising slogans against government and RTC management. Passengers arriving by the long distance services from different parts of the State at PNBS had to depend on auto rickshaws and personal transportation to reach their homes.
The ongoing marriage season has caused anxiety among families who are searching for alternatives to receive their relatives coming from distant places to attend the ceremonies. The condition of those travelling in city buses to reach their work places was equally appalling as they had to travel in shared auto-rickshaws in the city. Taking advantage of the situation, auto rickshaw drivers fleeced passengers by charging exorbitant fares.
“Usually, auto drivers demand Rs. 60 from PNBS to Tikkle Road. But, on Wednesday, they demanded Rs. 85. Left with no option I had to pay,” said Sambasiva Rao, a passenger. Similarly, the charges in the shared auto rickshaws too went up.
“These drivers are demanding Rs.15 from one point to other against the general charge of Rs. 8. Despite paying the fares, 8 passengers were made to travel in each auto,” fumed Pushpavati, a private employee.
However, RTC officials claimed a few RTC hire buses were operated in the city while long distance services also plied on some routes. As against the 2,500 daily services being operated from the PNBS, the RTC authorities had to deploy 150 hired services on some specified routes. The agitating employees tried to obstruct the movement of these services, but they allowed them to ply later, said RTC Executive Director R. Nagaraju.
Meanwhile, bookings in the private buses are said to have increased significantly due to RTC strike and railway stations teemed with passengers as many preferred trains.
