New Delhi: The strike by DTC bus drivers in Delhi has directly impacted the capital’s public transport system. With bus operations disrupted, a large number of commuters turned to the Delhi Metro. This shift was reflected in the metro’s ridership figures, as the network set a new record on Thursday for the highest number of passengers carried in a single day.
A total of 8,244,903 passengers traveled via the Delhi Metro on Thursday. The previous record for single-day ridership had been set on August 8, 2025, when 8,187,674 passengers used the service. Thus, the old record was surpassed on Thursday with an increase of approximately 57,000 passengers.
Metro Emerges as Key Alternative Amidst Bus Strike
Bus services were disrupted in several areas due to the DTC bus drivers’ strike, prompting commuters to rely on the metro to reach their destinations. According to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the disruption in DTC bus operations was a primary reason for the surge in passenger numbers.
Anticipating the extra rush, the DMRC had made prior preparations. Delhi Metro trains ran 32 additional trips on Thursday, helping to manage the increased passenger load on busy routes. Significant crowds were observed on the Pink Line, in addition to the Yellow and Blue Lines.
Drivers’ Strike Continues for Fourth Consecutive Day
The DTC bus drivers’ strike continued for the fourth consecutive day on Friday. Drivers hired through private companies are striking over demands that include salary hikes. Consequently, public transport across many parts of the capital was affected, causing commuting difficulties for passengers.
The Delhi government deployed contract-based DTC drivers—who were previously assigned to other duties—to operate buses. While some buses subsequently appeared on the roads, the inability to operate a large number of buses meant that the commuters’ difficulties were not fully resolved.
Amidst the shortage of buses, many passengers had to resort to using autos, cabs, and e-rickshaws. Some passengers alleged that auto, cab, and e-rickshaw drivers charged higher-than-normal fares in several areas.
Significant impact in Bawana, Narela, and Najafgarh
The disruption to bus services was particularly noticeable in the Bawana and Narela areas of Outer Delhi and the Najafgarh area of South-West Delhi. Unable to find buses, commuters were seen reaching their destinations via Metro, auto-rickshaws, and e-rickshaws.
While some DTC buses were visible on the roads during the strike, there were long intervals between them. Consequently, not all passengers could secure a seat on the buses and had to resort to alternative modes of transport.
2,700 drivers deployed for bus operations
On Friday, the DTC deployed approximately 2,700 contractual drivers to operate buses; these drivers had previously been assigned to other duties.
Under normal circumstances, the DTC operates 6,300 buses across roughly 550 routes. On Friday, an attempt was made to put about 2,700 buses on the road. However, there were reports of striking drivers attempting to disrupt bus operations in some locations.
Reliance on e-rickshaws and autos
Due to the shortage of buses, passengers had to rely on e-rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, and RTV buses. Commuters traveling from Laxmi Nagar Metro Station towards Mother Dairy, Mangalam Hospital, and Mayur Vihar were also seen using these modes of transport.
According to passengers, some e-rickshaw drivers were demanding fares ranging from ₹15 to ₹20 for distances of just two to two-and-a-half kilometers. Rather than enduring long waits for buses, many passengers were compelled to opt for auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws.
Thus, while the DTC bus drivers’ strike has impacted the capital’s bus services, it has also had a direct effect on Delhi Metro ridership.
