Mumbai: With unlimited attack workers continuing for the 22nd day, Maharashtra State Road Transport Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on Thursday decided to bind 500 private buses along with the driver to serve commuters stranded because of agitation.
This step came in the midst of a 29-year-old MSRTC employee who was allegedly dying for suicide in the Buldhana district.
Vishal Ambalkar, a resident of Matargaon in Khamgaon Taluka, has consumed poisons at his home on Tuesday night.
A senior MSRTC official told TII, “We have served a tender to invite private bus contractors to provide 500 buses based on the boost in the first phase along with the ‘wet rent’ model.
These buses will serve at least a lakh passenger in various districts throughout the district State.
“He further said that if agitation continues for a longer time, the MSRTC will carry out more tenders to rent 500 to 1,000 additional personal buses along with drivers in the next phase.
Meanwhile, talks with trade unions are still convincing on Thursday because the Corporation bus treasury was hit with losses on tones more than Rs 200 Crore due to bus attacks, said source.
The Minister of Transfer Transportation Anil Paratab met with opposition leader Devendra Fadnivis to discuss some problems, including a continuous strike from St.
Workers.
“The state government has made several appeals ask employees who strike to report to work, but they have not responded.
Fadnavis has made several suggestions.
We will examine them and the decision will be taken,” said Puriab.
On the front of the passenger, several daily commuters and passenger rights activists on Thursday demanded a bus service revived.
“There are many villages that depend completely on ST (state transportation) and where there is a bad availability of private vehicles such as auto or taxi,” Jayawant Darekar said from Kokan Vikas Samiti.
Also, office visitors in the Mumbai Metropolitan region depend on ST to travel to work.
Vora’s passenger rights activist Vora said, “This is important service and you cannot hold commuters for ransom.” Vinod Gholap, President, struggled for the right foundation, representing commuters, said, “The passengers face great difficulties because they are at the mercy of private vehicle operators, which charge more than double the MSRTC tariff.”