Bengaluru Bandh: More buses & Metro trips to tackle transport strike today

BENGALURU: Additional public bus services and increased Metro rail frequency notwithstanding, the strike called on Monday by private transport operators is expected to affect office-goers, those heading to the airport and regular commuters in the city, while examinations at some schools and colleges have been postponed.
Private operators are unwavering in their decision to proceed with the strike, and transport services related to school buses (provided by private operators), airport taxi, vehicle services provided to companies, autorickshaws and taxis operated by aggregators and individuals, private bus operations and others are likely to be affected.
S Nataraj Sharma of the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Corporation, said: “We are not backing down. Our strike will happen as scheduled. We have been asking the state government to give a written commitment that it will meet our demands, but the government has not done so. The 24-hour bandh will happen as scheduled.”
In response to the impending strike, public transportation authorities are gearing up to provide alternative solutions for commuters. Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation is set to deploy additional 500 buses on Monday, supplementing its usual fleet of 5,601 buses and 57,450 daily trips with an extra 4,000 trips on major routes, including those on Outer Ring Road (ORR) and the city’s outskirts.
Similarly, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited is prepared to increase the frequency of Namma Metro operations to manage the anticipated surge in demand. “During peak hours, trains will run every five minutes, and on Monday, these peak-hour operations will be extended to accommodate the public. The hope is these efforts will help mitigate the impact of the strike, offering some relief to commuters and students affected by the disruption,” BMRCL executive director Shankar AS said.
Demands galore
The protesting federation has been demanding compensation for revenue loss after the introduction of Shakti scheme, granting of permits to school buses and vans, withdrawing life tax on goods vehicles, ban on illegal bike taxis and other things.
Autorickshaw unions, which will also be on strike, are demanding a monthly financial assistance of Rs 10,000, establishment of an authority for the development of drivers, ban on illegal bike taxis, and permits for electric autos, among other things.
Taxi unions, on the other hand, want a uniform fare system for airport taxis, action initiated against those using whiteboard vehicles (private vehicles) for commercial operations, and a state government-operated mobile app for providing auto and taxi services such as Ola and Uber.
Meanwhile, private bus operators want the government’s Shakti scheme — free travel for women, whose cost is borne by the government — extended to private buses, reduction in taxes for tourist and contract carriage buses, and action against finance companies illegally seizing vehicles, among other things.
School bus operators are demanding the simplification of permit norms for school buses and vans.