Aurangabad, May 29:
The fright service launched by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Covid 19 lockdown period is generating good revenue. However, its drivers are upset as they have to bear meal and return journey expenses on many routes.
It may be noted that ST Mandal is incurring losses as its passenger service was paralysed in pandemic lockdown curbs. The Road Transport Corporation launched a truck service at Aurangabad division in August to transport goods in the districts and other parts of the State. Its passenger service is known as a safe bus journey. Now, it is paying attention to make goods carrier service as safe transporter.
There are 30 buses that were turned into trucks in the Aurangabad division, earned Rs 2.10 crore from transport service during the last nine months.
Its buses made 3,300 rounds and travelled 5.16 lakh km in the State.
The drivers of the buses were asked to leave their goods trucks at the destination and return to the city when any truck of the Department is available for the return journey.
Sometimes, a driver has to stay there for three to four days on not getting a return journey truck.
In such a situation, the drivers have to bear expenses for a meal for three to four days and return journey fare if another mode is used for the transportation. The drivers were upset as this causes financial losses to them. They demanded that they should be given some allowances for such service than an advance salary.
One of the drivers (name not disclosed) said that he drove a goods truck to Latur, and on the third day, he was asked to take goods to Beed from there.
“I left the truck in Beed, but did not get the goods truck to return Aurangabad. Hardly other modes were available to return here. Nobody thinks about how drivers will return in such a situation,” he added.
Divisional controller of MSRTC Arun Siya said that there is a difference between passengers and goods services.
“Passengers service is planned while in goods transportation service not like that. A driver should be ready for four to five days stay on transport service. The employees are given dearness allowance as per the norms,” he added.