Auto unions protest bus service

All autorickshaw unions in Ulhasnagar called a joint bandh call on Thursday against the bus service started by the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation, Kiran Sonawane.

All autorickshaw unions in Ulhasnagar called a joint bandh call on Thursday against the bus service started by the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation.

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The corporation, a month ago, started the bus service, based on the Nanded pattern where the liability lies with the contractor and he has to pay

55 paise a km to the corporation.

Raja Patil, president of Rickshaw Union said, “We weren't against the bus service because we thought it would only run on the state transport bus routes. But these buses started coming to railway stations and stopping at autorickshaw stands. This has hit our business.”

“Also buses can be flagged from any point,” he added.

He said most of the autorickshaw drivers are educated and they have no objection if the corporation wants to run these buses on all routes.

But then it should give employment to the 25,000 autorickshaw drivers.

Raja Gamenani, contractor of the bus service, said: “These allegations by the Rickshaw Union leader are false.”

He added: “Our buses run only on the main road and routes suggested by the corporation.”