Ama Bus Drivers Stage Protest Over Salary Delay, Services Hit

Bhubaneswar: Public transport services in Bhubaneswar were disrupted on Saturday after Ama Bus drivers launched a “steering down” protest demanding timely payment of salaries.

As many as 43 buses remained stationed at the Pokhariput depot, leaving several daily commuters stranded and causing inconvenience across multiple routes.

The agitating drivers alleged that their salaries, usually credited by the 10th of every month, have been delayed. While their August wages were disbursed on September 11, they claimed no payment has been made so far for the current month.

“For the last three days, the authorities have been giving us false assurances. We are yet to receive our salary. Besides, there are no restrooms for Ama Bus employees, we are forced to work extra hours without weekly offs, and we don’t get ESI benefits,” said one of the protesting drivers.

The drivers also raised questions about the role of Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), which has outsourced driver recruitment to Chakra e-Transport. “If CRUT has handed over the responsibility to a third party, who will ensure our social security?” they asked.