Daily commuters depending on buses for their travel needs had a tough time on Wednesday as RTC buses went off the roads as part of the state-wide indefinite strike launched by trade unions demanding an immediate solution to the long-pending demands of employees.
Despite the strike some commuters were seen at bus stops awaiting the arrival of the skeletal services operated by the RTC management. The ‘hired buses’ of the RTC were seen plying on different routes. Autorickshaws did brisk business as RTC buses went off the roads. RTC is operating 1,030 buses in the district of which 650 are city buses. Trains were also full on Wednesday.
“We regret the inconvenience to passengers during holiday season. We have made alternative arrangements to mitigate their travel woes at least to some extent by pressing into service all the 159 hired buses in the district”, RTC Regional Manager Y. Jagadeesh Babu said.
“We have requisitioned the services of all the 45 newly recruited drivers apart from calling for applications for conductors and drivers for temporary recruitment during the strike period. We have recruited 35 drivers and 50 conductors on a temporary basis on Wednesday,” he said.
Candidates applying for temporary driver posts should be holders of heavy vehicle license and have one-and-a-half year experience. They would be recruited though a selection test. Selected candidates would be paid Rs.1,000 a day. The minimum eligibility for conductors is a pass in SSC and selected candidates would be paid Rs.800 a day.
