Passengers stranded in bus drivers’ protest
Some 300,000 passengers were stranded at bus stops yesterday morning when drivers of 122 buses in Aghios Dimitrios, southern Athens, walked off the job after a row with the municipal authorities. Municipal officials started enforcing a law that keeps buses from using an established route – exiting the bus depot by going the wrong way on one-way Kountourioti Street. Drivers allege that the alternate (and legal) route is dangerous because it has restricted visibility. The buses remained off the road from the beginning of the shift until 10 a.m., when the drivers returned to work. Traffic police helped guide the bus drivers through the dangerous spot on the new route. Transport Ministry officials met with drivers, municipal authorities and union representatives late yesterday to mediate the dispute.
