Private transporters call for Bengaluru bandh on Sept 11 in protest against free bus travel scheme: Report

Private transport owners have threatened a "Bengaluru bandh" on September 11 to protest against the free bus travel scheme for women in Karnataka.

Published on: Sep 2, 2023, 09:52:43 IST

By Yamini C S

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Private transport owners are planning to call for a “Bengaluru bandh” on September 11 in protest against the free bus travel scheme for women in Karnataka, which has allegedly made them lose out on business. As many as 32 transport unions have told reporters that they have been impacted by the ‘Shakti’ scheme, rolled out by the current Congress government in the southern state after their massive win in the May 10 assembly elections, according to a Moneycontrol report.

Members of the unions are seeking a financial aid of ₹10,000 for each driver and a ban on bike taxis, among other demands. (HT File/Representative use)

What are the demands of private transporters?

Members of the unions are seeking a financial aid of ₹10,000 for each driver and a ban on bike taxis, among other demands such as a complete ban on app-based aggregators, the establishment of a corporation to back unorganised commercial drivers, scholarships for the drivers' children, loans with low interest rates, and many more.

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Those who are expected to participate in the strike include auto rickshaws, private taxis, cabs and school buses, however the effect it will have on daily life is yet to ascertained. Previously, such similar strikes have failed to have an impact on businesses and commute in the city.

A highly placed official from the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Association told reporters that the strike was earlier put off to July 27 after the state's transport minister, Ramalinga Reddy, had assured action, however that their demands have not been met.

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The Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association had also staged a protest on Thursday after the state government announced the decision to levy a “lifetime tax”, however, they withdrew their demonstration after officials retracted the decision and said that the existing road tax system, paid quarterly, will continue.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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