India, June 19 -- Commuters in Mumbai had to face a crisis during the peak morning hours on Friday as only a handful of the buses by the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) were seen on roads.

The buses are the life-blood of the busy city and one of the most frequently used modes of transport. They generally operate at a frequency of about 10-15 minutes, and even lower in some cases, but the employees' indefinite strike has forced buses out of the roads, leaving many commuters stranded.

According to news agency PTI, only 32 of the BEST's 2,766 buses were on Mumbai's roads during this morning's peak hours. Most of BEST buses are hired from private operators on a wet-lease basis.

While 38 buses could leave various depots...