Bus union calls off strike after 6 days

In a major relief to commuters, the city bus association has called off their indefinite strike on Sunday after reaching a consensus with the transport department.

The association went on an indefinite strike on July 18 demanding action against alleged violation of contract carriage permit conditions by Tempo Vikrams. They alleged that private bus operators were facing loses.

The stir was withdrawn after representatives of city bus association met Dehradun Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Sudhanshu Garg on Sunday afternoon.

“We called off the strike as the RTO agreed to act against Tempo Vikrams for violating permit conditions and overloading. The RTO also told us that he would seek two enforcement squads from the headquarters to keep a tab on errant Tempo Vikrams,” said Vijay Dhandriyal, president of city bus association.

Transport officials also assured the protesting bus union that a notice under section 86 of Motor Vehicle Act would be sent to errant passenger vehicles in case of violations and recommendations will also be sent for cancellation of permit.

The city bus operators have been protesting against the alleged violation of permit conditions by Tempo Vikrams. “Tempos have been granted contract carriage permits like auto rickshaws and they are supposed to operate under a contract. However, they were operating like buses. Under a stage carriage permit and plying on fixed routes,” said Dhandriyal.

Notably, there are around 271 blue coloured city buses operating in Dehradun on different fixed routes, while there are over 750 Tempo Vikrams plying in the state capital.

Subhash Kumar, owner of two city buses that ply on Raipur and Prem Nagar Roop roads said, “We were facing financial losses on a daily basis as Tempo Vikrams were operating on our roads. Now we are happy that the RTO has assured us action.”

Residents are relieved that the strike has been called off. Monica Sharma, resident of Harrawala, said, “I mostly travel by bus and faced a lot of convenience in the last few days. It’s a welcome move that the union has called of the strike.”
Raipur resident Vishal Bhardwaj said, “Without buses, travelling by auto becomes a costly affair. I am glad the strike has been called off.”