Autorickshaws, cabs and private buses will go off the roads in Bengaluru on Monday in response to the ‘bandh' call given by the federation of more than 32 private transporters' associations in Karnataka. Several private schools and offices have declared a holiday as the bandh will be observed from midnight of September 10 until midnight of September 11.
The federation has given the bandh call to draw the state government's attention to their long pending demands and the adverse impact of the Shakti scheme—free bus travel for women—on the private transport sector.
The associations have been demanding adequate compensation from the government to cover the loss of revenue suffered due to the Shakti scheme, one of the free guarantee schemes of the Congress government.
The private transport operators have demanded a financial package for commercial vehicle owners aggrieved by the Shakti scheme. The app-based cabs have urged the government to introduce 'one city one rate' policy for all online and offline cabs and to ban illegal bike taxis. The private buses have demanded the government to include them under the Shakti scheme, and hire private buses (on per kilometre cost basis). The federation has also demanded subsidies for car purchase and loan facility for those employed in the unorganised transport sector and regulation of goods vehicles without harassment to the drivers and owners like impounding vehicles and collecting hefty penalties.
The office goers and general public can however avail the government bus services, Metro train service or use private vehicles for commuting. Ola, Uber and airport taxis and private buses will be off the roads in support of the bandh. The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has informed that it would be plying additional buses to meet the demand.
"The private transporters have the right to hold strike. The BMTC will deploy 500 additional buses to make 4000 additional trips to tackle the rush. People will not be inconvenienced," said Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy.