The woes of the ordinary man only worsened on day-two of the indefinite strike, declared by the KSRTC and BMTC drivers, conductors and mechanics.
![Unfair: Autorickshaw drivers have been asking for exorbitant fares because of the transport strike.]( "Unfair: Autorickshaw drivers have been asking for exorbitant fares because of the transport strike.")
With talks between the KSRTC employees' union and government reaching nowhere, Bangaloreans have been left to fend for themselves to reach their workplaces and other destinations.
A few schools and colleges have declared a holiday, factories and a few IT companies too have announced a holiday and asked their employees to work over the weekend to compensate for the lost hours.
Metrolife met up with a few people to understand what problems they are facing
owing to the strike.
The autos continued to fleece passengers big time and people, who refused to pay over and above the meter, were struggling to get to their respective destinations.
Meenakshi Sundaram, president of the autorickshaw drivers' union (CITU), says they have almost 20,000 autos under their banner.
"The public can complain to us. We have instructed our union members not to demand excess fare and warned severe action against them if they do it," he says.
People pointed out that they had to reschedule their programmes owing to the strike and said how they have been delayed to work.
Students and college management are finding it tough to complete their syllabus well before their examinations as the students are not coming.
Selvi, a beauty consultant, struggled to get an auto from Lingarajpuram to go to her workplace near K R Market. "Yesterday, I hitched a ride with my friend but today I am finding it difficult to get an auto.
They're charging almost double and since I travel by bus everyday, I find it criminal to pay such an exorbitant amount." Esther G, an employee with Vikram Hospital on Cunningham Road says the hospital has been using its ambulances to ferry its staff to the hospital.
"I am waiting for the ambulance to arrive. I travel by bus everyday and this strike has made our lives miserable. The government is not bothered about people," she says.
The unexpected holiday has made a few college students happy but they say that with exams fast approaching and syllabus yet to be completed, they're unable to enjoy their 'vacation'.
Abha Karanjkar, a postgraduate student in periodontics at Ambedkar Dental College, says, "Those who live close by walk to college, the teaching staff, peons and students who rely on buses have stayed away from college. The lack of teaching staff has affected our routine."
BMTC bus drivers K Mallikarjun, who plys along the route to the new airport, says, "I think our demand is justified. We too have families to feed and have debts to repay and it is only fair that our demand is met. We don't want to inconvenience people but we have no choice."
About the auto drivers demanding excess fare, Mohammed Usman, an auto driver, says, "Auto drivers must not take advantage of people's helplessness. In fact, I have not demanded and made less than what I make on most days."
With talks between the KSRTC employees' union and government reaching nowhere, Bangaloreans have been left to fend for themselves to reach their workplaces and other destinations. A few schools and colleges have declared a holiday, factories and a few IT companies too have announced a holiday and asked their employees to work over the weekend to compensate for the lost hours.
Metrolife met up with a few people to understand what problems they are facing
owing to the strike.
The autos continued to fleece passengers big time and people, who refused to pay over and above the meter, were struggling to get to their respective destinations.
Meenakshi Sundaram, president of the autorickshaw drivers' union (CITU), says they have almost 20,000 autos under their banner.
"The public can complain to us. We have instructed our union members not to demand excess fare and warned severe action against them if they do it," he says.
People pointed out that they had to reschedule their programmes owing to the strike and said how they have been delayed to work.
Students and college management are finding it tough to complete their syllabus well before their examinations as the students are not coming.
Selvi, a beauty consultant, struggled to get an auto from Lingarajpuram to go to her workplace near K R Market. "Yesterday, I hitched a ride with my friend but today I am finding it difficult to get an auto.
They're charging almost double and since I travel by bus everyday, I find it criminal to pay such an exorbitant amount." Esther G, an employee with Vikram Hospital on Cunningham Road says the hospital has been using its ambulances to ferry its staff to the hospital.
"I am waiting for the ambulance to arrive. I travel by bus everyday and this strike has made our lives miserable. The government is not bothered about people," she says.
The unexpected holiday has made a few college students happy but they say that with exams fast approaching and syllabus yet to be completed, they're unable to enjoy their 'vacation'.
Abha Karanjkar, a postgraduate student in periodontics at Ambedkar Dental College, says, "Those who live close by walk to college, the teaching staff, peons and students who rely on buses have stayed away from college. The lack of teaching staff has affected our routine."
BMTC bus drivers K Mallikarjun, who plys along the route to the new airport, says, "I think our demand is justified. We too have families to feed and have debts to repay and it is only fair that our demand is met. We don't want to inconvenience people but we have no choice."
About the auto drivers demanding excess fare, Mohammed Usman, an auto driver, says, "Auto drivers must not take advantage of people's helplessness. In fact, I have not demanded and made less than what I make on most days."