Fewer buses ply in Coimbatore district

Gandhipuram, Singanallur, Ukkadam and New bus stand remained deserted.

The Town Bus Stand at Gandhipuram in the city wears a deserted look due to the strike by TNSTC employees on Friday

The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) staff strike continued in the district with only a fewer number of buses being operated on Saturday.

However, a top official said, the management continued to operate over 40 % fleets with the help of ruling party’s trade union members and 33 temporarily recruited drivers, on Saturday.

Out of 40 temporary drivers appointed after a rigorous test conducted by the officials of Regional Transport Offices at Ukkadam, Ondipudur, Pollachi and Mettupalayam depots on Friday, 7 were absent on Saturday, the official adds.

Main bus stands — Gandhipuram, Singanallur, Ukkadam and New bus stand remained deserted.

On Friday, though the officials claimed that 30 % buses were operated, the main bus stands in the city and the outskirts wore a deserted look.

In the absence of government buses, private buses plying in the city reportedly fleeced passengers by charging extra fare.