Daily commuters in Bhubaneswar faced major disruptions on Tuesday after drivers and conductors of the Ama Bus service launched a protest, halting operations across several routes.
The protest was triggered by alleged assaults on bus staff by unruly passengers. Demonstrating at multiple depots, the workers demanded that the Odisha government implement stronger safety measures to protect public transport employees.
The Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), which operates the Ama Bus service, confirmed that tensions escalated after a violent incident on May 12, when a group of bikers assaulted a bus guide, Trilochana Parida, near the Ayurvedic Hospital stop on Route 23. The bikers, who were violating traffic rules by riding against a one-way, confronted the crew over dust kicked up by roadwork, eventually chasing the bus aggressively.
Fearing for passenger safety, the bus took a diverted route and returned directly to the depot, skipping all intermediate stops.
As the strike continued, commuters struggled to find alternate transport, leading to overcrowded roads and reliance on private vehicles, autos, and taxis. Many urged the government to resolve the crisis immediately to restore normalcy in the capital’s public transport system.
