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Metro feeder buses staff go on indefinite strike

NEW DELHI: Drivers and conductors of Delhi Metro feeder buses went on an indefinite strike on Monday demanding a pay increase and bonus from the contractor, Rajasthan Bombay Transport.

Of the 120 feeder buses, 60 went off the road putting office-goers and those travelling to and from metro railway stations to a great deal of inconvenience.

On Tuesday, the feeder buses would go off the roads on eight of the 14 routes. Buses plying from the metro stations at Shastri Park, Welcome, Yamuna Bank, East/West Janakpuri, Dwarka Sector-9 and 10 and Kirti Nagar are unlikely to operate.

The drivers and conductors are bitter that the Rajasthan Bombay Transport is not agreeing to their demand for a pay hike and bonus for their services.

“The feeder bus drivers had coughed off Rs.10,000 and conductors paid Rs.30,000 as security deposit to the contractor. We want the security deposit to be paid back to us,” said a driver.

“Basically the drivers and conductors don’t want to be penalised and get blacklisted by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation when they indulge in rash driving. Their second demand is that they want an increase in bonus and wages. We had asked the Delhi Government to increase the rate of feeder bus tickets from Rs.5 to Rs.7 and from Rs.8 to Rs.10,” said a source in DMRC.

However, the contracting carrier said some drivers and conductors were removed for service on charges of dereliction of duty like misbehaving with passengers and rash driving. “We are paying first-class salaries and all this talk of bonus is nothing but hogwash. We have made alternative arrangements but the drivers and conductors are threatening to set the buses on fire if they operate. What these fellows are doing is illegal,” said a representative of the contractor.

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