13 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : Public transport services began returning to normal on Tuesday after contractual employees of the state-run transport system called off their strike, bringing much-needed relief to commuters who had been facing severe disruption for several days. With buses gradually resuming operations from early morning, authorities said services would be fully restored in a phased manner.
The strike, led primarily by contractual drivers, conductors, and technical staff working under the State Transport Corporation, had brought bus services to a near standstill across several routes. The employees had been demanding regularisation of services, better wages, job security, and parity with permanent staff.
According to transport officials, the decision to call off the strike came after multiple rounds of talks between employee representatives and government authorities. Late-night negotiations reportedly resulted in assurances on key demands, including the formation of a committee to examine service regularisation and revisions in contractual terms.
“Following constructive discussions, the employees have agreed to resume duties in the larger public interest,” a senior transport department official said. “We appreciate their cooperation and are committed to addressing their concerns through dialogue.”
Early Tuesday morning, bus depots witnessed steady movement as drivers and conductors reported for duty. Several routes that had been suspended were partially restored, while long-distance and inter-district services began operating with limited frequency. Authorities said additional buses would be deployed during peak hours to clear the backlog of passengers.
The strike had caused widespread inconvenience, especially to daily wage workers, students, and office-goers who depend heavily on affordable public transport. Many commuters were forced to rely on expensive private transport or walk long distances during the disruption.
“I had to spend nearly double my daily travel cost during the strike,” said a commuter waiting at a city bus stop. “The resumption of buses is a big relief for people like us.”
Employee unions stated that while the strike had been withdrawn, their demands remained unresolved. Union leaders said the decision was taken after receiving written assurances from the authorities and keeping in mind the hardships faced by the public.
“We have suspended the strike, not ended our struggle,” said a representative of the contractual employees’ union. “If commitments are not honoured within the agreed timeline, we reserve the right to resume agitation.”
The government, meanwhile, urged employees to maintain industrial peace and assured them that their issues would be addressed in a time-bound manner. Officials confirmed that a joint committee comprising government representatives and employee leaders would be formed to review service conditions, wages, and job security concerns.
Transport experts noted that recurring strikes by contractual employees highlight deeper structural issues in public transport systems, particularly the growing dependence on contract labour. “Contractual employment has become the backbone of many state transport services,” said a labour analyst. “Without addressing wage disparity and job insecurity, such disruptions are likely to recur.”
Schools, colleges, and offices reported improved attendance as bus services resumed, though some delays were observed due to limited fleet availability in the initial hours. Traffic police also reported smoother traffic flow compared to previous days when private vehicles had surged due to the transport shutdown.
Officials said maintenance checks were being carried out on buses that had remained idle during the strike to ensure passenger safety. Depot managers were instructed to prioritise heavily used routes and deploy standby staff where required.
Political reactions to the strike withdrawal were mixed. While some leaders welcomed the restoration of services and praised the employees for considering public interest, others criticised the government for allowing the situation to escalate to a point where essential services were disrupted.
For now, commuters appear hopeful that the temporary truce will lead to lasting solutions. As buses rolled back onto the streets, the familiar sounds of engines and conductors’ calls marked a return to routine life.
Whether the assurances translate into concrete policy changes remains to be seen. Until then, both employees and passengers will be watching closely, hoping that dialogue prevails over disruption in the future.
Summary
Bus services resumed after contractual transport employees called off their strike following talks with authorities, restoring public transport and easing commuter hardship while negotiations on wages and job security continue.