Shortage of drivers, conductors

By Akila Dinakar

CHENNAI, NOV. 12. Though recruitments for drivers and conductors for operating normal Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) services continued in full steam, still there is a huge shortage of drivers and conductors, according to officials.

Though the numbers are not enough to meet the need for 7,000 drivers and an equal number of conductors employed in MTC, a steady stream of aspirants continued to throng the headquarters and branch offices. Around 250 persons have been selected by this afternoon, taking the total number of casual labourers to more than 1,500. Branch managers have been permitted to select drivers and conductors at the depots with the help of nodal officers.

In an attempt to clear the rush, the MTC plied 1,340 buses and in the P.M. shift, the fleet strength was 1,117. Several buses were operated as cut services.

Buses of all colours and names were operated. About 270 private buses plied in the morning shift and 340 in the evening. The Satyabama Engineering College provided 15 of its buses, free of cost, with a driver each and the MTC had to provide a conductor and pay for the diesel alone. The usual Monday schedule of MTC was 2,582 buses.

To meet the shortage of drivers, the MTC approached the ex- servicemen association to send their drivers, besides calling for retired crew.

While the MTC managed to obtain drivers and conductors, there was now a great demand for technical staff to look into the problems of buses coming to the depots. The Corporation has invited valid ITI vehicle mechanic licence-holders to approach the depots for selection as mechanics.

New route boards have been printed on chart paper and pasted on mini-vans and omnibuses. During the strike, commuters could travel in plush luxury buses also for flat rates of Rs. 2 to Rs. 10 on long distances between Tiruvanmiyur and Parry's Corner.

The private bus operators were given route plans with MTC route boards, and instructed to halt at all bus stops. ``The expected intensity of the strike was not felt today as one mode of transport or another is at our reach'', commuters said.

A conductor of a mini-bus from Vellore, operating on the 28-B route between Tiruvottriyur and Egmore, said that after one trip through the city, he got acquainted with the route and found the operation easy.

Besides buses, mini-vans and autorickshaws, share-autos continued to operate in full strength.

The MTC head office recorded substantial attendance today.

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Section  : Southern States
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