Mumbai: Even as Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Street State-Wide enters the 16th day, the corporation operates 36 buses on 17 routes on Friday with workers, including drivers and conductors, returning to work.
While more than 1,500 workers continued service, 826 passengers traveled by Bus St on Friday, officials said.
MSRTC has suspended 2,053 workers so far and this number can rise if there are more agitations near the depot, the source said.
MSRTC Managing Director Shekhar Channe said that the corporation had gathered losses to increase to Rs 12,000 Crore, and during total strikes, loss of Rs 15 Crore every day.
He urged workers to continue their duties and did not put the commuter lakh against discomfort.
After the second wave of Covid 19, MSRTC operates 12,500 buses and transported 25 lakh-plus passengers every day, but because of strikes, bus services have stopped.
While talks with the government failed, the deadlock continued and the strike would likely continue over the weekend, the source said.
However, officials said they were hoping for more workers to continue the task on Monday morning, helping more buses to operate across Maharashtra.
In Mumbai, four buses were operated to Pune and 78 passengers transported when the bus was operated to Satara.
One day before, the Minister of Transportation and Chair of the MSRTC Anil Paratab had convinced police protection for all workers who returned to work and strict action against those who ordered them while doing their job.
On Friday, the Paraab said: “I have met workers for the past few days.
We have asked the workers from the beginning to attract strikes.” He said, “BJP leaders like Gopichand Padalkar provoked workers.
They can make any accusations They like it but they should not endanger the workers.
In the end, the workers who will suffer.
“Head of MNS Raj Thackeray met NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar to suppress the demands of workers who strike.
MNS leaders say they hope from a resolution.
From Friday, the best also started a bus service to serve MSRTC passengers.
The best bus attached to the Worli depot is being operated from the omelet and panvel, said the source.