HRTC service not available, commuters left stranded in and around Shimla

Shimla, July 23

Commuters were stranded at various places in and around Shimla today evening, as local bus service was held up by Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) employees.

The HRTC staff held up the service on over 150 local routes, following the transfer of Regional Manager DS Negi. “We will not resume services till his transfer order is revoked,” said HRTC Bus Drivers’ Union president Maan Singh Thakur.

The commuters, who were stranded, became restive. “My home is about 30 km from here. How will I and other passengers reach home?” questioned a youth, who was upset at the sudden strike.

The HRTC staff, on the other hand, refused to budge until their demands were met. “We will not resume the service till the transfer order of our Regional Manager is revoked,” said Thakur.

Over the past few days, a tiff has been going on between the HRTC staff and private operators over the time-table of buses. A meeting was called by the HRTC management today to resolve the problem. However, before the meeting could take place, the Regional Manager was transferred. “An official, who stood up for the HRTC has been transferred under the pressure of private operators,” he said — TNS