TNSTC employees work overtime after officials neglect requests for leave

Reliable sources alleged that due to severe staff crunch across the state, the department has instructed its drivers to work overtime leading to such accidents. Moreover, the bus crew complained that they were not treated fairly by their senior officials.

TNSTC, which operates over 22,000 buses across the state, has a staff strength of 1,35,000, including 1,10,000 drivers and conductors. 

However, TNSTC needs at least 40,000 more employees, including 15,000 drivers to deliver optimal service. Due to shortage of technicians, buses are operated without proper maintenance.

A Soundararajan, president, Tamil Nadu State Transport Employees Association, said, “The driver of ill-fated bus had asked for leave after fracturing his arm. However, the officials denied him leave resulting in the accident. This accident is a clear indication that the TNSTC is focusing only on revenue and do not care about its staff or the safety of passengers.” 

The staff crunch has resulted in a spike in the number of accidents, he said and stressed that the officials needed to recruit more staff. 

“We are working under mounting pressure and the higher officials yell at us if there is no revenue. We are instructed to work overtime many times even without leave. Several staff were given a ‘memo’ for refusing to work overtime,” a TNSTC driver told DTNext on condition of anonymity.

When contacted, a senior official of state transport department, requesting anonymity, said that they had instructed all the TNSTC transport regional officials to behave properly towards the staff. 

When asked about staff shortage, he said there was no shortage of staff at the moment adding, “We will intermittently conduct recruitments.”