Opposition-backed trade unions of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) began their indefinite strike demanding wage revision, among other issues.
In several areas, the strike began on Sunday evening itself, causing hardship to commuters.
While Tamil Nadu government insists only 10 out of 33 unions are taking part in the strike, most of the buses were off the roads on Monday.
Reporters from across Tamil Nadu bring you live updates:
7.00 pm: Miscreants damage windshield of a government bus, in Madurai.
Miscreants resort to stone pelting and damage windshield of a government bus near flower market, in Madurai on Monday. 
6.40 pm: Of the 819 buses in Nagercoil Region under Tirunelveli division in Nagercoil District, only 422 buses were in operation. Of the 5400 employees, only 33% reported for duty on Monday. Nagercoil Region has 2600 pensioners.
6.30 pm: Of the 972 buses in Tirunelveli division comprising of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts, only 322 buses were operated. Of the 6,500 employees, only 25% reported for duty today.
5.45 pm: Omni bus fare from Nagercoil to Chennai hiked to ₹1,700 against normal fare of ₹1,100, and for Bengaluru ₹1,500 from ₹1,000 from last night.
5.30 pm: Two TNSTC drivers arrested for pelting stones on a TNSTC bus proceeding from Courtallam to Sankarankovil at Punnaiahpuram under Chokkampatti PS limits. Driver of the bus has been injured.
1.40 pm: TNSTC bus services from Coimbatore to Kerala affected by the strike. Interstate buses of Kerala RTC are conducting regular services.
1.15 pm: Barring a stone throwing incident reported on Sunday night, the indefinite strike of transport employees continues peacefully in Kanniyakumari district on Monday. However 10 to 20 per cent buses could be seen operated with thin passenger traffic on the roads across the district, M. Sundarraj, District Secretary of CITU Transport Employees Union. There is no sign of tourists affected due to the transport strike, as most of them visiting Kanniyakumari by train, hired vehicles and own vehicles, said a tourist official in Kanniyakumari.
1.08 pm: Patients in Chennai had a tough time getting to hospitals due to the lack of bus services.
1.00 pm: The commuters in Chennai were put to a lot of hardship because only 30 per cent of the buses were operated. Being the beginning of the week the indefinite strike called by the transport trade unions almost brought the transport system to a standstill. A senior official of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) said around 1,000 buses were operated out of the 3,200 vehicles in the morning shift. The MTC had made arrangements by hiring private buses and drivers and conductors from outside the city.
12:30 pm: As a precaution the Karnataka-owned KSRTC stopped plying its buses to Coimbatore from Bengaluru and Mysuru, reports Wilson Thomas
12:20 pm: The commuters in Chennai were put to a lot of hardship on Monday as only 30% of the MTC buses were operated.
A senior official of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) said around 1,000 buses were operated out of the 3,200 vehicles in the morning shift. The MTC had made arrangements by hiring private buses and drivers and conductors from outside the city.
10:45 am: Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabaskar told reporters that 37 unions were in support of the government. Ten others, including those headed by DMK and Left, have participated in the strike.
“Efforts are on to operate the buses in full strength even as 2000 private vehicles will be operated in Chennai to clear the rush,” he said.
Police protection was being given to buses plying on the roads, he said, adding, the government was ready to hold talks to break the logjam if the unions came forward for discussions.
10:40 am: Private buses were put on service to ply passengers to Tamil Nadu from Puducherry as TNSTC services have been stopped. Passengers were forced to pay three times more than the fixed bus fares.
10:30 am: The striking bus transport employees were stunned by government's move to rope in school buses.
In all ,110 mofussil buses were operated on different routes within the Kancheepuram district and to destinations outside the district on the specified time allotted by the RTO.
10:10 am: Striking employees union members turned their ire on the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses at Kancheepuram by picking up a quarrel with the bus crew and warning them of "dire consequences" if they enter the State again, reports V. Venkatasubramanian.
10:00 am: Skeleton bus service was operated in Ramnathapuram district with the help of daily wage workers and school bus drivers. About 30% buses plied till 9:30 am. Of the 375 buses, 100 have been moved out from the depots so far. No untoward incident reported.
9:45 am: The scene at Perambur railway station in Chennai is no different from any suburban railway station. Though the Southern Railway has stepped in to provide some respite to the average Chennai commuter, will this be adequate in a heavily bus-dependant city?
Commuters throng Perambur railway station as buses stay off roads on Monday.
9:40 am: Police claim that around 50% of buses are being operated in Madurai and Virudhunagar districts. No untoward incident has been reported so far. Private buses have provided some relief for passengers.
9:20 am: Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar has said that the government has sought the help of the Southern Railway to tide over the public transport crisis.
The Southern Railways has increased the frequency of suburban trains in all the four routes. Special unreserved trains will ply between important cities.
9:15 am: Of the 77 buses in Krishnagiri moffusil depot, 29 buses were pushed into operation by engaging the drivers of private schools and colleges.
They are operated as a point-to-point service, with no stoppages in between. Passengers are loaded in Krishnagiri and dropped off at Hosur with no stops in between.
However, given the poor condition of the government buses, the risk of operating these buses with drivers with little experience gained only from operating well maintained school and college buses is also flagged.
9:00 am: Only 30% of TNSTC buses are plying in Tuticorin district. Though 310 buses should have been on roads, less than hundred buses are functional, sources said.
8:50 am: The indefinite strike called transport corporation unions has paralysed movement of state transport corporation buses in Tiruchi region.
More than 90% of government buses are off the roads in Tiruchi and neighbouring districts Perambalur district, say police.
Traffic movement in Tiruchi city is sparse as of now due to the strike.
Four govt buses were stoned in Thanjavur district near Kumbakonam in the late hour on Sunday. Police have arrested a bus conductor and his friend in connection with stone pelting.
Another govt. bus was stoned in Perambalur district. Police strength in adequate numbers have been deployed at the depots in Tiruchi region.
8:40 am: Only 25% of buses are plying in Dindigul and Theni districts.
However, Kerala State Transport Corporation operates buses to Cumbum and Bodi as usual. Only 130 out of 434 buses are running in Theni.
TNSTC has hired school bus and private drivers to operate buses in both districts.
Private buses are plying as usual.
8:30 am: Around 35% of the TNSTC buses are being operated in Tirunelveli district, though the Collector claims that 50% of buses are on the road.
No untoward incident occurred so far. Rural students appearing for university exams are badly hit and are relying on crowded private buses to reach the examination centers.
Temporary drivers are expected to be recruited through employment exchange registration around 9am.
