Surge in use of public transport during strike by private operator unions in Bengaluru

Private transport operators decided to end their strike following assurances from Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy regarding resolution of their concerns and demands

There was a surge in use of public transport — represented by Namma Metro, BMTC, and KSRTC buses — in Bengaluru on September 11, 2023. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

The private transport vehicle association’s strike on Monday led to a surge in use of public transport in Bengaluru.

There was an approximate increase of two lakh passengers who took the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses, according to data provided by the BMTC.

A senior BMTC official said: “On Monday, during the strike by private transport associations, the total number of passengers who travelled on BMTC buses was 46,16,793, which exceeded the regular average of 44,00,000 passengers.”

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) witnessed an increase in ridership of 5,40,820 passengers from Sunday to Monday, according to data provided by KSRTC. On Sunday, the number of passengers was 30,39,314, whereas on Monday, the number went up to 35,80,134.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) said that the number of passengers who travelled in Namma Metro on Monday was 6.13 lakh. The daily average according to BMRCL officials is 6.12 lakh.

Transport strike in Bengaluru

Most autorickshaws, cabs and private buses stayed off roads in Bengaluru on September 11 in response to a call by Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Association. | Video Credit: K Murali Kumar

On Monday, a significant number of autorickshaws, taxis, and private buses stopped operations following a call for strike by the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Association. It is estimated that approximately 7 lakh privately-owned or company-operated transport vehicles, affiliated with 32 unions across Karnataka, remained off the roads.

By afternoon, the private transport operators decided to end their strike following assurances from Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy regarding resolution of their concerns and demands.