Private bus operators threaten indefinite strike in Keralam
Say the recommendations of an expert committee appointed to address their concerns are inadequate
Private bus operators in the Indian state of Keralam have threatened an indefinite strike over the financial implications of the KSRTC's Priyadarshini scheme. This initiative allows women to travel free of charge on ordinary-category buses. Private bus operators argue that recent recommendations from an expert committee set up to address their concerns are insufficient to ensure the viability of their businesses. The State government convened the committee after receiving complaints from private operators.
The committee's report, following its assessment of the situation post-Priyadarshini scheme implementation, suggested declaring private bus services an industry and extending their operational lifespan from 22 to 25 years. However, private bus operators contend that the committee's suggestions do not address their primary demands.
T. Gopinathan, the general secretary of the All Kerala Bus Operators Association (AKBOA), announced on Sunday that private bus operators would determine whether to halt services across the state at a meeting of AKBOA's State committee in Palakkad on September 8.
Gopinathan stated that the expert committee's recommendations fail to address critical demands, such as a zero-ticketing system for women passengers on private buses, a subsidy on diesel, and an increase in student fares. AKBOA also advocated for raising the minimum ticket price from ₹10 to ₹15. The financial predicament of private bus operators has become so dire that they could cease services for an entire day, according to Gopinathan.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
