CHENNAI: The Omni Bus Operators Association has stated that due to the ongoing strike on interstate operations by buses having All India permits since November 11, bus operators have suffered a loss of Rs 36 crore till Tuesday. However, omni buses which operate as tourist buses with reservations to Pampa for the Sabarimala pilgrimage have been running as usual, said the operators.
The State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) introduced four special buses from Chennai to Pampa for the Sabarimala pilgrimage season from Sunday onwards. However, omni bus services to other states have not yet fully resumed.
While bus operators claim that All India permit buses and those registered in other states remain off the road, officials assert that only about 20% of interstate operators actually took part in the strike.
“Buses registered in other states continue to run across borders, and there has been no major impact on the public. Similarly, if there is any additional demand for Sabarimala specials, we will increase the number,” said an official from SETC.
A Anbalagan, president of the All-Omni Bus Owners Association (AOBOA), said, “Currently, those buses which have already paid road taxes in other states are in operation. Similarly, buses registered in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have been running as usual.”
Those buses which have All India permits have remained off the road since November 11, causing a loss of Rs 45,000 each per trip, he said. “For 1,350 services, we suffer a loss of Rs 4 crore a day, and thus the total loss incurred stands at `36 crore. About 20,000 drivers and conductors associated with the industry have been affected,” he added.
The Tamil Nadu government has promised the association that a decision on whether to impose a penalty on vehicles from other states will be taken soon. “We are expecting a solution in a day or two,” Anbalagan said.
Tourist buses which have contract carriage permits have been operating to Pampa, carrying Sabarimala devotees as usual, added Anbalagan.