Operations of electric buses at the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s (BMTC) Depot-13 were temporarily affected on Wednesday after drivers employed by OHM Mobility stopped work for around one and a half hours over salary payment issues and other demands.

According to the BMTC, the temporary strike was carried out without prior notice. The issue came to the attention of BMTC officials, following which Chief Traffic Manager (Operations) Anthony George, along with the Divisional Controller of the Volvo Division and other officials, visited Depot-13 to assess the situation. BMTC officials subsequently held discussions with representatives of OHM Mobility, which operates the electric buses, as well as the drivers, and initiated measures to resolve the issue, a release by BMTC stated.

“During the discussions, OHM Mobility management informed BMTC that the salaries of all EV bus drivers attached to Depot-13 for July had already been paid. The operator also clarified that salary-related allowances, incentives and other applicable payments had been settled,” an official said.

The drivers later resumed duty, following which EV bus operations from the depot were gradually restored and services returned to normal.

BMTC said it had also taken operational and alternative service measures to minimise inconvenience to passengers during the temporary disruption and ensure that public transport services were not significantly affected.