Pvt bus operators in Kerala threaten strike

Thrissur: A section of the private bus operators has threatened to go on indefinite strike against the backdrop of the govt’s decision to introduce free travel for women in KSRTC ordinary buses. They said they will launch the strike unless the govt announces some special packages to support them, in the state budget to be presented on June 19.

The strike call has been given by the Bus Operators Organisation, and its state general secretary T Gopinathan said women account for nearly 70% of the passengers in private buses and a large majority of them will shift to KSRTC buses, when free travel is introduced. About 10,000 private buses are operating in the state, and they will be pushed into severe losses if free travel is introduced in KSRTC buses. The govt should then introduce some support to private buses like offering subsidized diesel, and hiking students’ travel concession rates.

M S Premkumar, office-bearer of Kerala state Private Bus Operators’ Federation, said the state committee of the organisation will meet on Tuesday to chalk out the course of agitation on the issue.