The Hindu Business Line : Private buses off the roads in Kerala

Commuters had a tough time reaching their destinations as private buses went off the roads on Monday. Bus owners are on an indefinite strike in the State. - K.K. Mustafah

Thiruvananthapuram , July 26

AN estimated 20,000 private buses in the State stayed off the roads on Monday in response to a call for an indefinite strike by the Kerala State Private Bus Operators' Federation.

The bus operators have launched the indefinite strike to press for various demands, including a hike in bus fares and a revision of the concessional fares paid by students travelling on private buses.

The bus strike had a mixed impact on normal life across the State. In Thiruvananthapuram, where the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates `city' bus services, commuters were not particularly affected by the strike.

However, in districts such as Ernakulam, Kollam, Thrissur and Kozhikode, where private bus services dominate, the strike had an adverse impact on normal life.

The federation of private bus operators claimed complete success and said the agitation would not be called off till the government conceded to their demands.

The main demand of the bus operators is that bus fares in the State be hiked in the light of the recent increase in fuel prices.

They have called on the Government to fix the minimum fare at Rs 3.50 and have demanded that they be allowed to charge 55 paise for each route kilometre.

The private bus operators also want the Government to revise the concessional fares paid by students. They have also demanded a curb on new bus permits.