Commuters in Trichy faced severe transportation difficulties on polling day as the city's public mobility system came to a near standstill. Most government city buses remained off the roads after being diverted for mofussil and election-related transport duties, while app-based aggregator transport options were largely unavailable.
Reduced Services Leave Commuters Stranded
Private buses were insufficient and operated in packed conditions. The reduced services left thousands of daily commuters, including women, patients, students, and senior citizens, struggling to reach their destinations. Taking advantage of the situation, many autorickshaw drivers sharply increased fares by Rs 40 to Rs 80 per trip. Passengers reported arbitrary demands and refusal to ply short distances.
“I waited at Marakkadai bus stop for over 45 minutes for a city bus that never came. When I hired an auto, the driver charged Rs 80 extra for a usual Rs 120 ride,” said Ambujam, a 50-year-old homemaker from Srirangam. Bike taxi services like Rapido were equally affected, leading to longer waiting times and surge pricing on aggregator apps.
Reasons Behind the Disruption
“Many of us went to our native places to vote. Others were engaged in polling booth duties and vote canvassing for various parties,” said Syed Shaikh, a 35-year-old bike taxi driver. “The government should have planned better for city transport while facilitating voter movement,” said Kathiravan, 32, who works in a private firm near Thillai Nagar. Residents expressed frustration over the sudden collapse of routine transport. Long queues formed at bus stops, with many people eventually opting for expensive alternatives or walking considerable distances.
Protests Erupt in Some Areas
In a few areas, angry commuters took to protests. At TVS Tollgate, a group of passengers blocked traffic briefly, demanding immediate restoration of bus services and action against overcharging auto drivers. Transport department authorities maintained that buses were deployed to help voters reach their native places and polling stations efficiently. However, the diversion severely affected intra-city services in Trichy, one of the major urban centers in the state.
