MSRTC services back to normal in time for vacations

The MSRTC official said the biggest challenge is now to tide over the losses. File pic

Finally, the striking MSRTC workers have been returning to work in thousands everyday, with services slowly returning to normalcy, just in time of May vacation.

"As of April 19, around 7,435 employees have joined back with the total working number now going up to around 70,000. Most of the bus depots are now opening with bus services and operations resuming its normal fleet. Plans have also begun for vacation special buses," a senior official said. The official said the biggest challenge is now to restore bus operations to normalcy and tide over the losses.

The Bombay High Court earlier this month, while disposing of the petition moved by the MSRTC had directed all the staffers to resume duty by April 22 and asked the government not to take any action against the striking staffers once they resumed duty and the earlier action be withdrawn. The High Court-appointed three-member committee has also worked out a five-year plan to bail the corporation out of the losses.

It has been almost six months since the MSRTC employees went on an indefinite strike from October-end last year over their demand for merger of the cash-strapped corporation with the state government but intensified after the Diwali festival concluded. Despite giving a salary raise and assurances, there was a stalemate.

The MSRTC has been facing its worst financial crisis after the Covid-19-induced lockdown and restrictions. Passenger numbers never picked up, leading to losses and lack of funds. The strike fuelled further losses.

April 22
Deadline for all employees to return to work