BEST buses back on roads, commuters relieved

Mumbai, Apr 21: BEST buses were back on the roads this morning, providing huge relief to over 45 lakh commuters, especially office goers, who had gone through an ordeal due to the BEST workers' strike.

On Thursday, despite a Mumbai High Court order, BEST workers went on a 72-hours strike, protesting against the authorities' ''dilly-dallying approach'' toward their demand of revision of pay scale and interim dearness allowance.

In the wake of the strike, almost 3,391 buses that ferry some 4.5 million commuters on 335 routes daily, had gone off the roads from Thursday evening.

However, the strike was called off late last evening following talks between representatives of the trade unions and the 14-member BEST commitee, and the subsequent assurance to the protesting employees that their demands would be considered.

''Yesterday, I reached office an hour late as there were no buses ...I had to hire a cab, for which I had to persuade an unwilling cab driver. But today, hopefully, now that the BEST buses are back, I will be on time,'' said a commuter while waiting for a bus at Dimtimkar Road in South Mumbai.

''It has come as a big relief to me. After two days, I am back in the bus. The strike had forced me to board a local train for a short distance journey that I usually cover in a bus. Since I am not a pass-holder, I had to wait for a long time in the queue to buy a ticket,'' said another bus commuter.

UNI

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