Mangaluru : Buses services in undivided Dakshina Kannada are unlikely to be affected during the 24-hour nation-wide strike called by the motor transport sector on Thursday opposing the Road Transport and Safety Bill, 2015.

Autorickshaw services on the other hand are likely to be affected in the region.

Since the districts are predominantly served by private buses and the Federation of Private Bus Operators of Karnataka has decided not to participate in the strike, normal services could be expected.

Federation president K. Rajavarma Ballal said that operators are expecting some amendments to the bill and hence are not participating in the strike. A similar view was expressed by taxi operators in the region.

However, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has said that all transport workers would participate in the strike. CITU district general secretary Vasanth Achari and CITU Bus Workers’ Union President Ashok said that the workers would oppose the bill since it severely impacts the labour class.

Autorickshaw operators would participate in the strike and the services would be affected, said Mohammed Ansar, district general secretary of the autorickshaw drivers’ union. He said the drivers are completely opposed to the proposed hefty penalties proposed in the bill.

Meanwhile, KSRTC bus services are bound to be affected in the region as well as across the State following the employees participating in the strike. However, services are likely to be resumed by late Thursday evening including night services.