Delhi Transport Corporation Strike: Metro Ridership Record and Commuter Crisis

The DTC Bus Strike: Causes and Current Status

As of September 18, 2026, the दिल्ली परिवहन निगम (Delhi Transport Corporation) faced a significant disruption as bus drivers entered the third day of a widespread strike. The strike has severely crippled city transit, with the DTC कर्मचारी एकता यूनियन claiming that approximately 90% of drivers participated in the movement. Major depots, including Rani Khera, Rajghat, Nehru Place, Burari, Wazirpur, Ghumanhera, and Sarita Vihar, reported heavily affected services (AajTak).

The core of the dispute centers on labor demands. Transport Minister Pankaj Singh has appealed to the drivers to return to work, stating that while most demands have been accepted, the specific issue of a salary hike remains pending. This remaining point is subject to further discussions with the Labour Department. Despite these appeals, drivers have indicated that they will not return until a concrete solution is reached, particularly regarding their working conditions with private vendors.

Impact on Commuters and Fare Spikes

The absence of the affordable DTC bus network has forced millions of residents to seek alternative transport, leading to significant financial strain. Commuters have reported that the lack of buses has created a vacuum filled by auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws, which in some cases have exponentially increased their fares. According to reports from AajTak, trips that typically cost ₹20 were reportedly being charged at ₹100 or more, with some routes to areas like Palam seeing fares jump to ₹250–₹300.

This crisis has extended beyond office-goers. Students and patients visiting hospitals have been the hardest hit; some reports indicate that individuals were forced to use bicycles to reach hospitals due to the exorbitant cost of private hired transport.

Delhi Metro's Historic Ridership Surge

The strike acted as a catalyst for a historic milestone for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). On September 17, 2026, the metro network recorded a record-breaking 82,44,903 passenger boardings in a single day (Navbharat Times). This surpassed the previous record of 81,87,674 journeys set on August 8, 2025.

To manage this sudden influx of passengers, DMRC implemented emergency measures. On September 16, the network added 20 extra train trips and operated eight additional trains. These arrangements continued through September 17, with extra trains running between 8 AM and 8 PM to alleviate the pressure on the public transport network.

Summary of Transit Disruptions (September 2026)

Metric/Event	Detail	Source/Date
DTC Strike Participation	Approx. 90% of drivers	DTC Union / Sept 18
Metro Single-Day Record	82,44,903 passengers	DMRC / Sept 17
Reported Fare Increase	₹20 $\rightarrow$ ₹100+ (Anecdotal)	Commuters / Sept 18
Key Pending Demand	Salary Hike	Transport Minister / Sept 18