A large number of passengers were stranded this evening for want of buses, as the crew began their strike, scheduled for tomorrow by taking their vehicles to the respective depots in Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts.

In Coimbatore district, buses were returned to depots in Mettupalayam Road and Chungam, while many crew refused to take passengers, as they have to go home after taking the vehicles to their depots, police said.

Immediately after the strike was declared, about 100 buses in Coonoor, Gudalur and nearby areas withdrew the services and returned to the respective depots in Nilgiris district, putting the passengers into lot of hardship.

Though there were private buses, the crowd was very large considering Sunday being holiday, they said.

Some preferred available trains to travel to short distance and auto rickshaws and taxies did good business.

Meanwhile, responding to the request made by Chairman of Tamil Nadu Transport department, the Railways has decided to operate unreserved special trains, with 15 general coaches from Coimbatore to Chennai from tomorrow onwards.

The train will start at 8 AM from the city and reach at 6.15 PM at Chennai, while in return direction it will start at 8.30 PM to reach Coimbatore at 5 AM, railway sources said.

After the first run of the train on May 15, the specials will be operated from Tuesday to Saturday, barring Mondays until further advice, they said.

These special trains will cater to a minimum of about 5,100 passengers per trip, in the Chennai-Coimbatore Sector, they said.

The train will have stops at Tirupur, Erode, Salem, Morappur, Tirupatthur, Ambur, Katpadi, Arakkonam, Tiruvallur.