Telangana: RTC Bus Strike Brings City to Standstill, Lakhs of Commuters Stranded

Passengers stranded at bus stands across Telangana as TGSRTC JAC (Joint Action Committee) members called for a strike to press for their various demands. The ongoing RTC strike has severely disrupted normal life in the city, leaving daily routines in disarray as thousands of buses remain parked inside depots. With nearly 20 lakh commuters relying on RTC services, the sudden halt has created widespread inconvenience. Students, office-goers, labourers, sanitation workers, and private employees have been the worst affected, particularly during the early morning rush hours. The absence of reliable public transport has forced many to search for alternative travel options, leading to overcrowding in other modes of transport and delays in reaching workplaces, schools, and essential services across the city.

At major transit points such as Dilsukhnagar and Lakdi-ka-pul, commuters faced significant hardships as they struggled to find transportation. Many were seen negotiating fares with auto-rickshaw drivers or walking long distances with their belongings. Several passengers complained that private transport operators were taking advantage of the situation by charging inflated fares. The situation was particularly grim at Uppal Depot, where only four out of 32 scheduled early morning buses operated on routes including 115 (Koti), 300, and 113. By 9 am, nearly 90 bus services had been cancelled, prompting increased police presence at depots to maintain order.

The disruption extended to major hubs such as the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station, where buses largely remained off the roads, further intensifying commuter difficulties. Talks held on Tuesday, April 21, between the government and the RTC Joint Action Committee failed to yield any resolution, resulting in the continuation of the strike. However, fresh discussions are expected later on Wednesday, April 22, leaving commuters uncertain about when normal services will resume. The ongoing deadlock has added to public frustration, as thousands continue to face daily travel challenges without clarity on when the situation will improve.

A passenger told ANI, "We have been sitting here since 7 AM... The workers said there is a bus strike... We are all facing inconveniences... We did not even receive any information about it..."

#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana | Passengers stranded at MGBS bus stand as TGSRTC JAC (Joint Action Committee) members called for a strike to press for their various demands.

A passenger says, "We have been sitting here since 7 AM... The workers said there is a bus strike... We… pic.twitter.com/QGl2uitJ6I

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2026

Despite the strike, limited services are still being operated from depots in Secunderabad, Ibrahimpatnam, KPHB, Uppal, and Dilsukhnagar. Around 25 buses are currently running on select routes connecting areas such as Uppal, Ghatkesar, Secunderabad, Ibrahimpatnam, Abdullapurmet, Amberpet, and Abids. Additionally, electric buses are functioning without disruption, offering some relief to commuters. However, the reduced number of buses has not been sufficient to meet the high demand, forcing passengers to depend heavily on alternative transport systems to complete their daily journeys.

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With RTC services largely crippled, a significant number of commuters have shifted to the Hyderabad Metro, resulting in heavy congestion at stations like LB Nagar. Long queues were observed at ticket counters and entry gates as passengers waited for access. In response, authorities increased the frequency of metro services to handle the surge in ridership. Meanwhile, heavy police deployment was reported at depots in Malakpet, Dilsukhnagar, Kanchanbagh, and MIDHANI. Although officials managed to operate a few buses, most remained idle due to the ongoing strike.

Amid the crisis, the TGSRTC Supervisors’ Association has expressed support for the government’s GO 66 and the formation of an IAS committee to address RTC-related issues. The association voiced optimism about a positive outcome and decided not to participate in the strike. To ease the situation, the government has started recruiting temporary drivers and conductors, with around 10 conductors already hired at the Dilsukhnagar depot. Authorities have urged eligible candidates with valid documents, including heavy vehicle licences, to approach nearby depots. Overall, the strike continues to significantly impact urban mobility.