AMTS strike: 200 state transport buses,crew roped in for help

Bus commuters in the city had a hard time on Saturday when 100 private bus drivers joined the strike of temporary and contractual workers of the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS).

Bus commuters in the city had a hard time on Saturday when 100 private bus drivers joined the strike of temporary and contractual workers of the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS). This forced the authorities to not only invoke Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA),but also summon buses and crew from the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) as a stopgap arrangement.

We have already deployed 100 buses and crew of GSRTC and will call in another 100 for Monday to deal with the situation, said M S Patel,Deputy Municipal Commissioner and transport manager. He agreed that the situation could turn graver with a 24-hour strike call given by autorickshaw drivers beginning Sunday midnight.

Patel said that against the daily average of 670 to 700 buses operating,547 buses were on road on Sunday,a holiday,the situation was manageable. He also said that drivers of private buses have no locus standi to join the strike.

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Patel further said there was no curtailment of service in any of the routes,but the bus frequency was affected although not in peak time. He added that a police case has been registered against mischievous elements that stoned two buses near Town Hall on Sunday afternoon as well as against those who stoned buses at six places on Friday.

Meanwhile,Transport Committee chairman Pravin Patel said that talks with the strike leaders had collapsed two days ago because they were not relenting on offers made from the AMTS about giving them 25 to 30 per cent pay hike and entitling them to medical benefits.

We have agreed to implement whatever court decision came in their favour,but they are adding new demands to their wish list such as including drivers of private operators for these benefits,which is not acceptable, Patel said. He added,We have also advertised in newspapers and notified the employment exchange for fresh recruitment.

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