Lakhs of bus commuters in Mumbai were inconvenienced as Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking employees began their 72-hour strike from midnight.
Over 42,000 BEST employees are participating in the strike called to demand revise pay scale, the department sources said.
Nearly 30 lakh commuters travel by 3,500 BEST buses daily, they said.
The strike means tough times for officegoers, students and others who resorted to private vehicles, autorickshaws and taxis. There were reports that autorickshaws are now charging exorbitant rates.
At a meeting of BEST employees unions' action committee on Wednesday night, the union leaders accused BESTÂ management of delaying revision of payscales as agreed earlier.
Meanwhile, citing a Bombay High Court ruling on the strike, BEST management has warned the agitating employees of stringent action for participating in the strike. BEST general manager Uttam Khobragade said the strike was 'illegal'.