Bus drivers' strike paralyzes another World Cup host city

A bus drivers' strike plunged the World Cup host city of Salvador into chaos on Tuesday, as commuters scrambled to find alternate ways to get to work in Brazil's third largest metropolis. The striking drivers are demanding a 12 percent salary hike and reduced working hours. It was the latest strike to grip Brazilian cities, including two World Cup host cities of Rio and Sao Paulo, where bus drivers also demanded higher salary and reduced working hours. Unlike Rio and Sao Paulo, Salvador has not developed mature railway or subway networks, which means citizens do not have access to other transportation means. Salvador, with a population of about 3 million, is set to host six games in the World Cup, including a round-of-16 match and a quarter-final. The first match, Spain against the Netherlands, is scheduled for June 13. The strikes testify to the ills of Brazilian public transportation system, such as poor working conditions and low salaries. In Rio, for example, many drivers have to collect fares from passengers while driving. With the FIFA World Cup less than three weeks away, the strikes aroused concerns over public transportation which is an essential tool to get spectators to stadiums since private vehicles will be banned from the vicinity of many host city's main stadiums.