Omnibuses to not function from 6 pm today: Southern States Omni Bus Association

CHENNAI: Thousands of passengers, who booked tickets to return to the city after the Ayudha Pooja holidays, are likely to be stranded as the Omnibus associations have announced a strike.

The protest is against the recent actions taken against the buses that charge exorbitant fares.

In a joint statement, the associations, including from neighbouring states, said that All Omni Bus Operators Associations of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring State associations hereby announces a strike in Tamil Nadu on October 24 in protest against the harassment by regulatory authorities including the Regional Transport Office (RTO), Motor Vehicle Inspector and the Transport Commissioner of Tamil Nadu.

Listing the reason for the protest, the statement stopping of vehicles during late hours, detaining vehicles without valid reasons after offloading the passengers. More than 120 buses have been seized.

Forcing operators to interchange the passengers to other buses without proper justification.

"Arranging alternative vehicles to continue the journey of the passengers without considering the safety and comfort of passengers, especially women, children, and senior citizens, particularly during late hours is a very big concern," the associations said.

They requested the Government to consider to address the issues at the earliest before 12 noon in order to withdraw this strike notice.

All vehicles operating within, to, and through Tamil Nadu will be taken off-road during this period. This strike action involves associations in Tamil Nadu, Kamataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, it added.

The associations took the decision during a virtual meeting held on Sunday late at night.

Meanwhile, State Transport Minister SS Sivasankar is holding talks with the Omni bus associations.