Drivers of 40 electric buses go on strike, CTU deploys 24 buses

After the drivers of 40 electric buses went on strike today, the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) deployed 24 alternate buses on the affected routes to avoid inconvenience to commuters and to maintain essential services.

The Chandigarh City Bus Services Society under the aegis of the CTU had hired 40 electric buses from Ashok Leyland under the gross cost contract model, wherein the company was responsible for providing both buses and drivers, while the CTU was to deploy its conductors on these buses. However, the drivers of the Ashok Leyland buses hired by CTU on a per-km-run basis, went on strike due to internal issues with their parent company.

In a statement, the CTU stated that in response to the sudden strike the CTU administration took immediate corrective measures to ensure uninterrupted public transportation services. A total of 24 alternate buses were deployed on the affected routes to avoid inconvenience to commuters and to maintain essential services.

The CTU further stated that a penalty, as admissible under the terms of the agreement, would be imposed on Ashok Leyland for the disruption in services and the inconvenience caused to the general public. The Ashok Leyland electric buses operate on six major city routes.