CHENNAI: While schools and colleges were given a holiday on Friday, most private companies continued work as usual, leaving employees using public transport completely stranded since taxis and autos too were off the roads.
The bustling Koyembedu Bus terminus had only four to five buses in the stands, either going to Avadi or Guindy. However, the bus stand wasn't deserted as over 100 protestors occupied the area, climbing on buses and dancing away. Commuters told Express that even though they had heard of the strike they had not expected a complete shut down of buses too.
Parivethan R, an employee who waited for four hours to get a bus for Redhills was frustrated to see protestors climbing on to the only bus that finally arrived. "I've been here since seven in the morning and now the bus conductor said it won't go up to Redhill and will stop at Anna Nagar depot. See what the the protestors are doing," he said.
T Sangeetha, had decided to return home after waiting for an hour for the bus. "I told my boss that I had to take leave as I had no means of reaching the office," she said.
Since the protestors were dancing on the roof of the buses, drivers were scared to start the bus often leading to verbal exchanges. However, police intervened to ensure peace.