New Delhi: The ongoing strike by drivers employed by private operators running Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses entered its fifth day Friday, disrupting services across the city and pushing more commuters towards Delhi Metro, which recorded its highest-ever single-day passenger boardings Thursday.Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) recorded 82,44,903 passenger boardings, surpassing the previous record of 81,88,115 set on Aug 8, 2025, on the eve of Raksha Bandhan. Officials attributed the surge largely to the ongoing bus disruption, which has left thousands of commuters scrambling for alternative modes of transport. DMRC defines passenger boarding as the number of metro lines used by a commuter to complete his or her journey.With several bus routes affected, office-goers, students and daily commuters reported longer journeys and higher travel costs. Women passengers dependent on free bus travel and monthly pass holders were among the worst affected, with many forced to spend extra on autos, e-rickshaws and cabs.Students, particularly those travelling to Delhi University colleges, said the strike had added to their difficulties amid the ongoing DUSU election period. “We rely on DTC to go to campus but could not due to the strike,” said Naresh Sangwan, a resident of Punjabi Bagh.Union leaders claimed that nearly 4,000 of Delhi’s approximately 6,300 buses remained off the roads. Drivers are demanding an increase in the minimum daily wage from Rs 862 to Rs 2,000, along with social security benefits, medical facilities, annual bonus, leave benefits, insurance cover and equal pay for equal work. Union general secretary Manoj Sharma said the strike would continue until an official order addressing their demands was issued.Transport minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said DTC employees themselves were not on strike and that the agitation involved drivers employed by concessionaires operating DTC buses. He said the govt would explore ways to improve drivers’ pay.To cope with the increased demand, DMRC operated additional trips Thursday. Of the total passenger boardings, the Yellow Line recorded the highest share at 20,89,465, followed by the Blue Line with 17,28,658 and the Pink Line with 9,41,527.“To meet the increased travel demand, DMRC operated 32 additional trips Thursday,” a DMRC official said.Santosh Chalke, DIG, CISF Unit, DMRC, said the record reflected the coordinated efforts of CISF and DMRC in ensuring security and smooth passenger movement across the network.
