Aurangabad, Dec 16:
The number of daily trips of the MSRTC from Aurangabad has come down by 933 as compared to rounds before lockdown. Daily rounds, especially in rural areas have been cancelled. As a result, commuters in rural areas are facing inconvenience. Similarly, 300 drivers and conductors of the division have gone to Mumbai for duty, impacting the services.
Bus service resumed after unlock. But travel was being avoided by citizens for fear of the coronavirus. Therefore, initially, ST buses did not have the same number of passengers. Hence buses were not running at full capacity. The worst-hit were the drivers and conductors as they were forced to take leave without pay. But since October, the number of passengers has also started increasing. Hence employees were called on duty. However, the trios to rural areas were reduced.
Leave without pay
Babasaheb Salunke, divisional president, ST workers union said, "There is no question regarding work to drivers and conductors. However, when the buses started after corona, the trips were not made at full capacity. Therefore, the employees were not called on duty. Lockdown attendance, nor leaves were registered in October. Hence their salary was not paid. No decision has been made in this regard.
Everyone has a duty
Arun Sia, divisional controller, ST corporation said, "There is no point giving compulsory leave without pay to drivers-conductors. Every employee is called on duty. Nearly 300 employees have gone to Mumbai for service. The revenue of the department has increased in the last few days."
Increase in income of Aurangabad division
Before corona, the daily income of ST corporation''s Aurangabad division was around Rs 50 lakh. But after the outbreak, the initial income was Rs 10 to 15 lakhs. Since Diwali, however, the income has been increasing. Today, the income has reached Rs 40 lakhs.
Depots in the district: 8
Total number of buses in the district - 550
Total drivers - 1,201
Total conductors- 934
Number of rounds:
Daily rounds before corona - 1,987
Daily rounds at present- 1,054