Thousands of passengers travelling in APSRTC buses were stranded as buses remained confined to depots on the first day of the indefinite strike launched by employees on Wednesday.
Almost all the bus stations including the Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS) in Vijayawada, the biggest in the State, wore a deserted look even as employees staged demonstrations. A few buses were operated with police security in some parts of the State.
No untoward incident had been reported from any part of the State and the strike was near total in most of the districts. The police took into preventive custody leaders of the agitating unions at several places when they tried to obstruct the movement of buses, which were operated by the management by hiring private drivers and conductors.
Caught unawares
Passengers travelling on long distance routes bore the brunt as they were caught unawares. Travellers bound for Chennai and other cities in the neighbouring States were stranded midway at Tirupati.
Making most of the situation, a few private bus operators increased their fares.
Meanwhile, railway stations witnessed heavy rush with passengers making last minute travel arrangements.
