Transport employees strike continues for 4th day - swarming crowds in trains
Posted on: 08/Jan/2018 11:16:10 AM
As the strike by the state government transport corporation employees continued for the 4th day yesterday (Sunday, 7th January), only a minimum number of MTC buses were operated.
Because of this, there were huge crowds in the alternative transport – the Suburban electric trains, MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit System) service, and the Metro services.
Emphasising their various demands including salary revision, the employees of the state transport corporations have been on strike for 4th day as on Sunday, 7th January,
Meanwhile, the administration had warned that if the employees do not resume duty, suitable disciplinary action will be taken. The officials reported that following the warning, some employees had reported for duty.
As compared to the previous 3 days, there was a 10% increase in the number of buses operated and thus, 40% MTC buses were operated.
However, as the full strength of MTC buses was not in action, the remaining 60% MTC buses were stationed at the Central workshop, Vadapalani, T Nagar, Poonamallee, Chromepet, Tambaram, Alandur, Thiruvanmiyur, Ayanavaram, Vyasarpadi, Thiruvotriyur, Ennore, and other workshops.
Over 100 private buses were operated from Koyambedu to Avadi, Ambattur, Padi, and other places. The fares were fixed as Rs. 5 for 5km travel, Rs. 10 for 10 km travel, and Rs. 20 for 20 km travel.
Because of the ongoing transport corporation employees strike, the maintenance work by the Railway was cancelled and all the 670 electric trains were operated as done in the regular weekdays. There was a 30% increase in the number of passengers.
In a similar trend, over the last 4 days, the average number of passengers travelling in the Chennai Metro Rail has gone up from 25000 to 31500.
A higher number of autos and shared autos were pressed into service in the Chennai city yesterday. The minimum fare for shared auto was fixed at Rs. 20 per person and for the auto, the minimum fare was fixed at Rs, 150 to Rs. 200. As the buses were not available, the public had bear this additional expense and they travelled in the autos and shared autos paying the excess fare.
Normally, 1800 to 2000 government buses will be operated from the Koyambedu bus terminus to various other places in the state of Tamil Nadu. Due to the strike of the employees, this service has been greatly affected. The buses were kept at the workshops.
An official explained that generally, the number of passengers travelling on Sundays from Chennai to other places will be very less. Further, due to the ongoing strike, the public has reduced travelling. The buses are being operated to different places as per the demand. Around 30% of the government buses were operated yesterday (7th January).
