Noida transport strike: Bus, cab and auto services affected

Noida : Daily commuters in the city faced hardship today, as Noida Transport Sanyukt Morcha called for a one-day strike to protest against the steep hike in penalties under new Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act.

Several private schools in Noida remained closed today. Noida Transport Sanyukt Morcha, which represents 31 associations and several other unions of goods and passenger segments, called a one-day token strike on Thursday from 6 am-10 pm.

All the major associations who run trucks, buses, autos, tempos, maxi-cabs and taxis in Delhi and Noida joined the one-day protest. Cluster, private buses, auto-rickshaws, a section of app-based cabs, trucks, grameen sevas and school vans also went off the roads. Major airlines were also issued travel advisories for passengers flying today.

Noida Transport Sanyukt Morcha, President, Vedpal Singh claimed their strike successful and said over 50 transport associations and unions in Delhi-NCR were taking part in the strike. He said, “All transport association halted traffic in sector 71, 62 , 12 ,22 etc  and provided  their support in making the drive successful. In future if our demands are not fulfilled, our protest will be more aggressive.”

During the protest, the members of association raised slogans against government and Union minister Nitin Gadkari demanding that the exorbitant penalties under the amended MV Act should be reviewed.

All you need to know about today’s transport strike:
. Noida Transport United Front also called for a strike on Thursday alongside cab associations, CNG auto associations and bus operators. Around 50,000 transport vehicles are expected to stay off the roads.

. The taxi services, including app-based cab services like Ola and Uber, across Delhi and Noida will also be affected today as cab associations have joined the one-day strike. “We have listed some demands. The government is not ready to listen to our demands, so we have no other choice but to go on strike,” stated Noida cabs association president Yogesh Verma.

. All the major airlines IndiGo, Air Asia, Vistara have notified passengers about the ongoing transport strike in Delhi to avoid any disruption.

.The total expected per day loss in revenue of the transporters owing to the strike is going to be about ₹23,000 crore.

. Transport unions blamed both the centre and the Delhi government for strike.