[sachinpk]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

I don't dispute their right to protest, but holding an entire state and its capital hostage for two days without public bus services?

The government also tried to do a bit of "strike breaking" (like what US businessmen tried in 1800s). They have given special permits for the private bus operators to operate on routes ear-marked for KSRTC & BMTC. A side effect, the private bus operators are charging double the fares. Tamil Nadu SRTC is also operating more buses on routes towards the South Eastern parts (and to Hosur). So as I see it Govt. is willing to allow other private parties to make more money, if they could break the strike.

Originally Posted by theexperthand

I don't see any update on the strike on any websites - will the strike continue tomorrow also?

Hmm. It is a bit of suspense even now. The government had managed to get some buses to operate from Jaya Nagar based depots. They were to run as a convoy from there to Silk Board, Madivala etc. and were given police escorts. This was at around 1700Hrs today. But after that nothing was heard of this scheme.

Originally Posted by naveenroy

Yup, it can be invoked but like binand said - there will be big time political fallout because of such a move. But I also remember Jayalalitha invoking it years back and she stood firm when the transport department were on strike. I even remember they recruited new people to drive and manage state transport.

I tend to sympathise a bit with these folks. Just think about the strikes which Karnataka has seen in the last two months. Even the state police force planned to go on for a "medical leave". These days where would you find a police force planning to strike work? And police being a more disciplined organisation, the strike was some how stopped. There is now some move to ensure that every police man gets a weekly off (at least). Karnataka Police pays their lower rung personnels (ASIs, HCs,PCs) much lesser salary than what the AP Police or Telengana Police do. This is when the nature of the job is exactly the same. The same may be the case with Ka.SRTC as well.

Jayalalithaa had made the daring move of dismissing every government employee who went on strike (not only TN STC staff). She even recruited fresh set of people. But she royally lost the next elections. And I guess she did mellow down a bit after that. When it comes to Karnataka, I now seriously doubt how much of the money the state makes actually reaches the actual Mannine magas of the state (apart from movie actors, politicians, business tycoons etc.).

[NPV]

Originally Posted by theexperthand

Can't imagine the mayhem if the strike is not called off and the school starts tomorrow.

Received a message from the school that tomorrow is a holiday as well, so I guess the strike continues, god bless our roads

[sdp1975]

Originally Posted by binand

Can you cite some examples? I know of Kolkata where they co-exist and the public transport system (outside of trains) there is a disaster. They don't symbiotically coexist; private buses simply squeeze out the public service (see Kochi); eventually the roads become a warzone with private buses completely ignoring fare, speed, stops, scheduling etc. regulations.

From what I understand, the last hike was 4 years ago. They are only asking for an 8% annualized rate, which barely touches the inflation rate India saw during these years.

I'm from Kolkata .The public transportation system there is a life saver, so much that I never take out my car there. I've always used buses - mostly private - to go to school and other places in the 2 decades I stayed there.

I never payed more than the govt. determined fare. They always stop at fixed stops. Yes , there's speeding and rash driving by them , some routes are overcrowded. But they augment the public transport system really well. I've also used private buses during my recent 2 day Trichy visit, and they looked good.

I understand the last hike the BMTC staff got in 2012 was 22%, and BMTC hasn't been making profits in the last few years till this year. A 35% hike would drive BMTC into losses at the expense of taxpayers.

Just saw the SMS that's there no school today as well. This is 3 days in a row that my kids are sitting at home and not going to school because of the strike.

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by naveenroy

But I also remember Jayalalitha invoking it years back and she stood firm when the transport department were on strike. I even remember they recruited new people to drive and manage state transport.

That was during the Diwali festival of 2002. Also when AMMA decided to hire private drivers for the state transport buses, all the state transport drivers concerned immediately decided to call off the strike fearing they would loose their jobs.
AMMA acted tough at that time. Now coming to the current strike by BMTC. The state govt procures the buses through JNNURM but more often than not, the BMTC uses the buses to ferry IT employees like ITPL, Bagmane Tech Park and Manyata. They mint money through this and buy buses at subsidized rates. But they claim BMTC is running at loss.
Now let us compare BMTC with MTC in Chennai. To the best of my knowledge, MTC buses are not used for other purposes except ferrying public. Their rates are also less compared to BMTC.
So when the BMTC staff are protesting against the govt for not considering their demands of 30% hike in pay, I feel it is bit too much . Correct me if I am wrong.

[raghuram.cg]

Any news on Traffic on ORR today morning (27th July), especially near "Salem Bridge - Rainbow Hospital" and Kadubeesanahalli Underpass ? Yesterday was terrible to say the least!

[vin_b]

Originally Posted by raghuram.cg

Any news on Traffic on ORR today morning (27th July), especially near "Salem Bridge - Rainbow Hospital" and Kadubeesanahalli Underpass ? Yesterday was terrible to say the least!

Due to yesterday nights rain, again there is water logging. I read post on BTP-FB page (link)

water logging under railway underpass at Doddanekhundi on outer ring road - potential for huge traffic jam like yesterday as traffic builds up. Need fire brigade to be pressed to service immediately

[sbalagru6]

Originally Posted by raghuram.cg

Any news on Traffic on ORR today morning (27th July), especially near "Salem Bridge - Rainbow Hospital" and Kadubeesanahalli Underpass ? Yesterday was terrible to say the least!

Situation looks pretty bad already...

[sachinpk]

Originally Posted by NPV

Received a message from the school that tomorrow is a holiday as well, so I guess the strike continues, god bless our roads

From what I heard this morning at around 0745Hrs. BMTC buses are NOT plying all across the city. The buses which went on a convoy yesterday are now all back at the depots. Only thing is that there does not seem to be any ruckus created by the employees.

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

So when the BMTC staff are protesting against the govt for not considering their demands of 30% hike in pay, I feel it is bit too much . Correct me if I am wrong.

35% hike is a bit too much, but I think it is part of the negotiation tactic. They may negotiate for a 12% or 15% hike. 10% hike was what is being given now, earlier govt. want it to be 8%. One thing, we also really do not know how the money which BMTC/Ka.SRTC generates gets spent as well. They would naturally have to maintain their fleets, and we don't know how much %-age of their income goes for employee salary & pensions etc. And this also makes the claim that "BMTC is a profit making organisation" land flat on its face. To be honest, I did believe that BMTC did make profits and much better than Ke.SRTC etc. Now looks like TNSTC (and AP SRTC) may be the better ones around.

[msdivy]

Originally Posted by sdp1975

I understand the last hike the BMTC staff got in 2012 was 22%, and BMTC hasn't been making profits in the last few years till this year. A 35% hike would drive BMTC into losses at the expense of taxpayers.

Govt collects taxes and provides welfare to people. Hope transport is not considered 'welfare'. Actually the hike % doesn't mean anything by itself. Is the salary on par with industry? Note that a Govt job usually means job-safety and being part of Govt employee welfare schemes. Is that factored in the pay hike?

Just saw the SMS that's there no school today as well. This is 3 days in a row that my kids are sitting at home and not going to school because of the strike.

My daughter's school was functioning on Monday, Tuesday and is today. They extended school transport to those who have have not availed it. So I tend to think it is school decision.

Originally Posted by redcruiser

I guess you recently watched Irrfan khan starrer Maadari. Well if our system works that way then there would not be any flaws in any public works. One can only lament for the current state of affairs.

Is it? Let me catch that movie if I can. I usually don't watch bollywood flicks. My thought process was, these people have designed the infrastructure with some though and constraints. This is causing so much ill to the current users. Wanted to hear from the designers.

Originally Posted by sachinpk

35% hike is a bit too much, but I think it is part of the negotiation tactic. They may negotiate for a 12% or 15% hike. 10% hike was what is being given now, earlier govt. want it to be 8%.

Whatever the pay hike, for now Govt must raise the fare and pass it on to the commuters and start the service immediately - no point extending the inconvenience. That is the bane of running monopoly service. Public must demand Govt list BMTC/KSRTC on stock exchange, for better accountability.

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by raghuram.cg

Any news on Traffic on ORR today morning (27th July), especially near "Salem Bridge - Rainbow Hospital" and Kadubeesanahalli Underpass ? Yesterday was terrible to say the least!

It is the same story. May be worse. I am stuck for the last 45 minutes. May be another 1 hour away from the dream; crossing the underpass.

And I am on a 2 wheeler today.

[abhayankara]

TRAFFIC VIOLATION BY POLICE:

This is the scene what I see almost on all days from Monday ~ Friday when I am waiting for my CAB near Meenakshi Temple. This Ertiga which belongs to government always makes a wrong entry. To avoid taking just a 30 meter U turn, he takes the wrong way. Rules are meant to be followed by all right?
The one who has to guard us makes such mistakes!

[MavericK46]

Originally Posted by msdivy

....
Whatever the pay hike, for now Govt must raise the fare and pass it on to the commuters and start the service immediately - no point extending the inconvenience. That is the bane of running monopoly service. Public must demand Govt list BMTC/KSRTC on stock exchange, for better accountability.

A more holistic solution would be to open the transport services to private operators rather than let the BMTC monopoly continue.

[raghuram.cg]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

It is the same story. May be worse. I am stuck for the last 45 minutes. May be another 1 hour away from the dream; crossing the underpass.

And I am on a 2 wheeler today.

Thanks for the update folks.Probably better to stay at home today!
raghu

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by MavericK46

A more holistic solution would be to open the transport services to private operators rather than let the BMTC monopoly continue.

To compare with public transport in Chennai, to the best of my knowledge we do not have private operators plying on the city routes. Correct me if I am wrong.
Secondly we have more of the normal non A/C buses in Chennai when compared to Volvos which is not so in Bangalore on some of the routes (Like Silk board to ITPL). If you consider the peak time, you will find only Volvo buses on the above said route. Instead they can operate more of the normal buses with increased frequency complimented by the Volvos. Not everyone can afford to travel in a Volvo bus. Off late one gets to see more of Volvo buses stranded on the road side due to breakdown.

[ambivalent_98]

Originally Posted by abhayankara

TRAFFIC VIOLATION BY POLICE:

This is the scene what I see almost on all days from Monday ~ Friday when I am waiting for my CAB near Meenakshi Temple. This Ertiga which belongs to government always makes a wrong entry. To avoid taking just a 30 meter U turn, he takes the wrong way. Rules are meant to be followed by all right?
The one who has to guard us makes such mistakes!
Attachment 1534053

Attachment 1534054

Upload this to the BTP FB page. This is quite a violation and quite blatantly. I think BTP take action on catching these violations.