Don't bank on public transport today

AHMEDABAD :  On Monday, it is safer to take your vehicle to your workplace as public transport in the city may be badly crippled. While the strike by employees of Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Services (AMTS) is still on, the autorikshaw drivers' decision to go on strike has threatened to play havoc with the daily commuting plan of the citizens.

The ongoing strike of daily wagers, temporary conductors and employees of private contractors of AMTS has entered the fourth day. But, the situation has worsened by the strike call given by Ahmedabad Autorickshaw Drivers Union to protest the high-handedness' of traffic police department.

According to AMTS authorities, they have now asked for 200 more state road transport buses to fill in for private contractor-run AMTS buses which are off the road because of the ongoing strike.

On Sunday, 547 AMTS buses were operational in the first shift. A day back, AMC had got 100 ST buses to ply on busy routes.

Meanwhile, three separate incidents of vandalism have been reported from various areas of the city where AMTS bus services were disrupted.

The striking workers are pressing for their demand to be absorbed as permanent employees. They have also filed a case in the labour court on the issue.