With buses off the roads for the first time since October 2019, thousands of daily passengers were forced to depend on autos, cabs and the metro, leading to sharp fare hikes, long waiting times and crowded alternatives.
HYDERABAD: A city without buses after years brought both visible relief on roads and widespread disruption for commuters on Wednesday, as a strike halted services across Hyderabad.
With buses off the roads for the first time since October 2019, thousands of daily passengers were forced to depend on autos, cabs and the metro, leading to sharp fare hikes, long waiting times and crowded alternatives. App‑based cab fares surged through the day, with users reporting higher prices and delayed bookings. Auto drivers in several areas were seen charging double fares. “There were no buses and no choice. We had to pay whatever they demanded,” commuter Keerti Miryala said.
Women passengers who usually rely on free bus travel under the Mahalaxmi scheme were among the worst affected, shifting to shared autos and seven‑seater vehicles at extra cost. Students travelling to colleges on the outskirts faced delays, often switching between metro and autos to reach campuses. “We had to switch between metro and autos and still couldn’t make it on time,” said Nishad Ahmed.
The heat compounded the situation, with temperatures crossing 40°C. Commuters waited outdoors for long periods without reliable transport. “After about 40 minutes we realised there’s no point waiting and took an auto to the nearest metro station,” said Ananya Siddharth, a student from Narayanaguda, adding that broken bus shelters made waiting even harder.
Carpooling was considered by IT employees, but few joined in, forcing many to take expensive cabs. While some residents experienced lighter traffic in parts of the city, the absence of buses highlighted the heavy dependence on public transport.
There were also instances of verbal remarks from drivers. One auto driver was reported telling a woman passenger, “You’ve been travelling free for the past two years. Can’t you pay double just for today?”
