A strike by drivers employed through private agencies for the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) disrupted bus services across the city on Tuesday, leaving commuters, including students and office-goers, stranded for hours. The drivers are demanding higher wages and medical and social security benefits.
No buses left several depots, including those in Burari, Nangloi, Rewla Khanpur, GTK, Nehru Place and Shadipur. A large number of buses remained parked at the Burari depot, while drivers held a demonstration near the Burari crossing. In several areas, buses were also stopped mid-route, leaving passengers to find alternative modes of transport.
Long waits
The disruption particularly affected students and office-goers dependent on DTC buses for their daily commute.
Sanjana, a Delhi University student travelling from Burari to GTB Nagar, said she had to wait for four hours for a bus. “I had to reach college early, but I waited from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Someone then told me there was a strike by bus drivers. I had to take an auto instead,” she said.
Some passengers said buses had been stopped mid-route and they were asked to deboard.
“I was going to my child’s school to pick him up, but the driver halted the bus on the side of the road and asked everyone to deboard. They said they were on strike. If that was the case, why did they take passengers in the first place?” said Lata Kumari, a resident of Palam Colony travelling to Dwarka.
“Our demands are genuine. We are being paid only ₹862 a day for eight hours of work, without any social security. There are drivers who meet with accidents and have families to support. Is ₹862 enough for that in a city like Delhi?” said Sonu Beniwal, a driver at the Wazirabad depot.
No benefits
The DTC Karamchari Ekta Union backed the strike and said the protest would continue on Wednesday.
“The demands are genuine. Drivers and conductors cannot be made to work for such low wages, with no medical benefits, insurance or even a single holiday. Drivers are not paid for the days they are ill and cannot report to work. The department wants drivers to put passenger safety at risk by making unwell drivers work?” said Lalit Chaudhary, president of the union.
Published – September 16, 2026 01:08 am IST
