KSRTC Strike: Commuters Switch to Private Buses, Travel Plans Disrupted in Shivamogga

fast Summary

• KSRTC employees organized a strike on Tuesday in Shivamogga, causing disruption to bus services.
• Trainee staff members were deployed by KSRTC officials to operate limited bus services to taluk centres like Sagar, Bhadravathi, and Honnali.
• No service was available for Bengaluru or coastal area routes; passengers relied on private buses or canceled travel plans.
• The Joint Action Committee of KSRTC employees decided to call off the strike later in the day, offering relief to affected passengers.
• Mahadevu, an office-bearer of the KSRTC Employees Union, claimed trainee staff were forcibly made to work while demanding voluntary participation only.
• T.R. Naveen Kumar, Divisional Controller of KSRTC (Shivamogga), denied any coercion and stated that some workers chose voluntarily to return for duty.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The strike by 1.15 lakh KSRTC employees highlights underlying tensions within public-sector transport operators regarding labor policies and treatment of workers. Deploying trainee staff ensured minimal operations but caused significant inconvenience as major routes remained non-functional-indicating potential weaknesses in contingency planning during strikes.

While the temporary resolution from calling off the strike provides immediate relief for passengers relying on public transport, sustaining worker satisfaction is critical for long-term operational stability within Karnataka’s transport systems. Open discussions between employee unions and management appear essential in mitigating further disruptions and enhancing openness around staffing policies during such events.

Read more: Source