Dozens of Assiut and Al-Azhar University students blocked the roads in front of the Assiut train station on Monday, protesting against the train conductor’s strike that has continued into its second day.
Clashes erupted between the students and local drivers, angry with the students for blocking the roads. Hundreds forced their way into the station and hurled stones at the train conductors, demanding that they do their job.
Several train conductors said they the railway directors and security authorities had threatened to fire them and press charges against them if they did not end their strike.
Assiut Governor Yehia Keshk said the municipality had provided 300 buses and microbuses as an alternative source of transport in the absence of trains. More vehicles would be provided across the governorate according to need, he added.
One hundred buses were also provided to transport Assiut residents to other governorates. Microbus drivers increased their fares as compensation for the extra work.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
