Commuter assaults bus conductor in Sion

MUMBAI: A bus conductor was assaulted by a passenger near Pratiksha Nagar depot, in Sion on Sunday afternoon, resulting in services being disrupted for more than an hour.

Bus services resumed only around 3.15 pm. "One of the passengers had an altercation with the conductor at Pratiksha Nagar depot. The passenger assaulted the conductor and also summoned his relatives and friends," said BEST public relations officer NA Walawalkar.

On seeing four to five men entering the depot, the BEST security guards anticipating trouble and shut the main gate. The guards tried to prevent the men from causing any problem and informed the Wadala Truck Terminal police. One of the men pelted a bus with stones and damaged its windows.

"The gate was opened only when the police arrived. The police hauled the miscreants to the police station," Walawalkar said. A case was registered against the miscreants in the evening.

Local residents were inconvenienced by the delay in services. "There is a good frequency of buses in the area. Those residing in the MHADA flats mainly depend on BEST buses to commute. Even if there is a 15 minute delay, it upsets local residents," said local resident.