3 days ago
Bengaluru Bus Strike Updates: Why drivers are protesting, what to expect, and are cabs and private buses operating?
Public transport in Karnataka, including in Bengaluru, is likely to be hit as employees of state-run road transport corporations begins an indefinite strike from 6 AM on August 5, 2025. The protest is expected to affect bus services across the state, including in Bengaluru.
Bengaluru Bus Strike: Why are workers protesting?
The Joint Action Committee of Transport Unions has called the strike over two main demands:
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Payment of 38 months' pending salary arrears, amounting to ₹1,785 crore
A 25% salary hike effective from January 1, 2024
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The state government offered ₹718 crore, which would only cover 14 months of arrears. The unions rejected this proposal. According to a Deccan Herald report, the unions believe that a 25% salary hike should be in place until 2027.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the full demand is not reasonable. 'The transport corporations already have ₹4,000 crore in debt. We recently gave a 15% salary hike from March 2023,' he said.
— ANI (@ANI)
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Karnataka bus strike: State government advises WFH, calls for private operators to step in amid KSTRC, BMTC employees' protest
Bengaluru Strike: Who is on strike?
The strike has been announced by employees of the
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation
(KSRTC) and other state-run transport corporations. These include drivers, conductors, and support staff.
Although the Karnataka High Court issued an order against the strike, workers have decided to go ahead with it.
What to expect during the strike?
With a statewide strike planned, public bus services are expected to be affected, especially in cities like Bengaluru. To minimise inconvenience, the Karnataka government has advised IT companies to allow their staff to work from home.
In a letter dated August 2, 2025, Dr N.V. Prasad, Principal Secretary of the Transport Department, requested the Department of Information Technology to communicate this advisory to all relevant companies.
Officials are monitoring the situation and have appealed to the public for cooperation. Other precautionary steps are also being planned to manage traffic and help commuters during the strike.
Bengaluru Strike Update:
Most buses remained at depots, with only a limited number operating as some staff members chose not to join the strike.
A few services were seen in rural areas, where some drivers continued to work to ensure schoolchildren could reach their schools, according to transport department sources.
To handle the situation, trainee drivers were reportedly deployed by the transport corporations.
Bus stations in major cities — including Bengaluru, Chikkamagaluru, Raichur, Chitradurga, Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru, Hassan, Madikeri, Shivamogga, and Kalaburagi — witnessed large crowds. Many passengers were left waiting, struggling to find other means of travel.
The limited number of buses on the road, mostly those that departed before the strike began, caused inconvenience to commuters.
Private bus services and cab operators reportedly saw a surge in demand as passengers sought alternative transport options.
In Bengaluru, some commuters said autorickshaw drivers were charging very high fares.
Karnataka HC had stayed proposed hike
Karnataka High Court on Monday issued an interim stay against the strike and directed the protesting state transport workers to defer the agitation till the next hearing of the case, i.e August 5.
"If the entire public transport operation is stalled, the public are likely to be put to hardship. Therefore, it would be appropriate to grant interim stay till tomorrow (Aug 5) awaiting the outcome of negotiations with the government referred to above. Hence respondent No.7 is hereby directed to put on hold the proposed strike till next hearing date," the court said.
