Kerala private bus operators threaten strike again? Demand minimum fare of Rs 15

PALAKKAD: Hints say that the private bus operators in Kerala may go on a strike again. The private bus owners are repeatedly complaining of facing heavy losses due to the Priyadarshini scheme. They say that the reports submitted by the expert committee entrusted to study the losses suffered by the private bus sector are inadequate. Their main demand is to increase the minimum bus fare to Rs 15. They are likely to announce about the strike day after tomorrow.

The expert committee’s report includes recommendations such as revising routes and schedules to compensate for the losses suffered by the private bus sector due to the Priyadarshini scheme. Reports say one of the reasons for the losses is that two buses operate on the same route at the same times. The report recommends rescheduling KSRTC services and leasing private buses, among other measures. However, private bus owners have responded that the recommendations in the report will not provide a solution to the problems they are facing.