Padubidri: Flash strike, traffic blockade by service bus operators troubles commuters

Padubidri: Condemning the move to collect toll, private service bus operators plying on inner roads of Hejamadi stopped operations and blocked traffic on the Old Embassy Road near Hejamadi on Thursday.

The toll operator on the Old Embassy Road started collecting toll from buses after Fastag was made mandatory and discounts to them were cancelled.

On Wednesday, after protest from bus operators, the toll operator had assured them of continuing the discount. However, on Thursday, when there was no discount provided, the bus operators stopped their services, emptied the buses of passengers and blocked the road.

Commuter, including school and college students, suffered from the sudden cessation in bus operations.

Later, police arrived and cleared the buses from the road. Meanwhile, bus operators decided to appeal to the Deputy Commissioner and local Member of Parliament.