Passengers hit as KSRTC cancels trips

Bengaluru: A day after state government decided to appeal against the high court judgment acquitting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in DA case, state run KSRTC cancelled hundreds of trips towards Tamil Nadu on Tuesday morning, leaving the passengers in lurch. Some of them passengers held protest in Majestic in the morning, seeking immediate restoration of the bus service.

All started in the morning with both KSRTC and private operators cancelling around 600 bus trips to various parts of the Tamil Nadu, fearing violence and damage to the buses. But passengers who were not aware of this development got stranded. Many returned home while others made arrangements to travel by train. Bus services were restored by evening.

Passengers also alleged that KSRTC had cancelled several trips to various cities with in the state saying buses and its crew are in Grama Panchayat election duty. But KSRTC officials denied cancellation of any services. “Buses towards Tamil Nadu were cancelled due to the fear of damage. But normal service resumed in the afternoon,” said an officer.

BMTC services hit

Meanwhile BMTC commuters also faced inconvenience on Tuesday with corporation operating lesser numbers of schedules. In Shivajinagar, Kempegowda bus station, Majestic and KR Market commuters were forced to wait for hours together.

According to BMTC officials they didn’t cancel any regular schedules on Tuesday and there was no truth in the allegation that fewer buses were operating. “Election commission availed the services of 149 BMTC buses for Grama Panchayat election duty. But there was no disruption in the service,” said a senior officer.