Hyderabad reels under RTC strike as bus services halt

The RTC strike disrupted normal life in Hyderabad, leaving commuters stranded at major bus stations like JBS and Rathifile. With limited SETWIN services and no regular buses, passengers faced long waits and turned to expensive private transport options.

Hyderabad: The ongoing RTC strike has thrown normal life out of gear in the city, majorly impacting poor and middle-class commuters. With bus services coming to a halt, thousands of passengers who depend on public transport struggled to reach their destinations.

At the Secunderabad Jubilee Bus Station (JBS), usually crowded with passengers, scenes of confusion and distress unfolded as commuters waited for hours with no buses in sight. Many were unaware of the strike and arrived at the station expecting regular services.

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Ramesh, a resident of Siddipet, said he had just returned from a visit to Tirumala and was caught off guard. “We did not know about the strike. We have been waiting for over two hours, but there is not a single bus,” he said.

Lucky, a BTech student travelling to his hometown in Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, expressed similar frustration. “I thought at least the long-distance buses would run. I have been stranded here for nearly an hour,” he said.

A similar scene was observed at the Rathifile Bus Station in Secunderabad, which appeared deserted due to the absence of bus movement. Some passengers, unaware of the strike, continued to arrive at the station, only to leave disappointed and look for private transport alternatives after learning about the disruption.

To prevent any untoward incidents, Chilkalguda police have deployed security personnel at key locations.

As a temporary relief measure, around 40 SETWIN services were being operated between Secunderabad and LB Nagar and 14 services between Secunderabad and Mehdipatnam.

However, these limited services were overcrowded, leaving many commuters with little choice but to endure long waits or seek costly private transport options.