‘20 L jobs lost in bus, taxi ind; 65% trucks sitting idle’

Around 20 lakh people have lost employment and an equal number are staring at job losses as private bus and tourist taxi operators have been hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown, according to the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI).

BOCI, which claims to represent 20,000 operators with 15 lakh buses and maxi-cabs and 11 lakh tourist taxis providing direct employment to 1 crore people, said these private operators need government support in the form of waiver of taxes and interest on loans as many of them are facing closure.

"During lockdown 95% of our vehicles were off road. Very few buses operated for company contracts, while some were used for transporting migrant labourers," BOCI President Prasanna Patwardhan said.

With no business, the members are struggling to pay salaries and wages to employees, he added. "At least out of the 1 crore people, 30-40 lakh people will lose their jobs, 15-20 lakh people have already lost their jobs. Balance they will also lose their jobs," Patwardhan said while seeking government support for the private bus and cab operators.

Truck operators body All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) said 65% of the total trucks in the countr y are sitting idle due to spiralling fuel prices, corruption and no tangible relief to transporters. AIMTC is the apex body of transporters, representing about 95 lakh truckers and other entities.