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Private bus operators in Kerala have threatened to launch an indefinite strike, saying that the recommendations of a government-appointed expert committee have failed to address their major concerns. The operators are unhappy with the financial impact of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation's (KSRTC) Priyadarshini scheme, under which women can travel free of cost on ordinary-category KSRTC buses.
Kerala's Private Bus Operators Launched a Strike
The state government had formed an expert committee after private bus owners raised concerns about the scheme. The committee studied the problems faced by the private bus sector and suggested that private bus services should be recognised as an industry. It also recommended increasing the permitted operating life of private buses from 22 years to 25 years to help the sector deal with its financial difficulties.
However, private bus operators said these recommendations were not enough to solve their problems. They claimed that several of their important demands were not included in the report.
The All Kerala Bus Operators Association (AKBOA) has demanded that women travelling on private buses under a similar arrangement should be covered through a zero-ticketing system. The operators have also sought a diesel subsidy from the government and higher fares for students.
Another major demand is an increase in the minimum bus fare. Private operators want the current minimum ticket price of ₹10 to be raised to ₹15. They argue that rising fuel prices, maintenance expenses and other operating costs have made it increasingly difficult to run their services.
AKBOA general secretary T. Gopinathan said the financial condition of private bus operators had become extremely difficult. According to him, many operators are struggling to continue their services even for a single day.
The association will discuss the possibility of stopping bus services across Kerala at its state committee meeting in Palakkad on September 8. If the operators decide to proceed with an indefinite strike, commuters across the State could face major difficulties, particularly in areas that depend heavily on private buses for daily travel.