CHENNAI: Commuters were put to untold hardships after 800 Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses went off the roads in the city on Monday. The reason? Many employees had taken time off to attend a public meeting organised by the DMK-backed Labour Progressive Front (LPF)instead.
This had become a frequent occurrence in recent times as trade unions have been going all out to woo the staff with promises to improve their working conditions, in view of the upcoming transport corporation elections slated for November 25. According to sources, instead of reporting for work, many employees had headed home in the evening after attending the LPF meeting in front of the Pallavan House - the headquarters of the MTC.
“Most of the employees, who took part in the meeting, were supposed to report for duty in the afternoon shift. As many as 70 buses of the 140-fleet from Perambur depot did not operate because of this,” sources added. Commuters, particularly office-goers and students, were affected badly. Some of them had to change three buses instead of the direct route. On an average, MTC operates more than 3,200 buses in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur.
In a similar incident two weeks ago, 30 per cent of the MTC fleet did not ply, as drivers and conductors affiliated to various trade unions had accompanied contestants while filing nominations for the elections. Meanwhile, in a release, MTC Managing Director V Babu said that branch managers in depots have been instructed to ensure proper operation of services, both in the morning and evening shifts.
Besides, workers have been asked to report for duty during off days and the trade unions have been urged to cooperate in order to ensure uninterrupted operation of services, he added. When Express tried to contact the MTC Managing Director, he was not available for comment.