Student fare should be hiked to Rs 5: Private bus operators to launch indefinite strike from July 22; token strike on July 8

THRISSUR: Private bus operators across the state have announced an indefinite strike starting July 22, demanding a hike in the minimum student fare from Rs 1 to Rs 5. As a precursor, a token strike has been scheduled for July 8.

The decision was made under the banner of the Joint Committee of Private Bus Operators, which stated that they would proceed with the strike if the state government failed to act on six key demands put forward by the bus owners. The Chairman of the Joint Committee of Private Bus Operators, Hamsa Erikkunnan, General Convenor T. Gopinathan, and Vice Chairman Gokulam Gokuldas stated that they are demanding the implementation of the Justice Ramachandran Commission report, which recommends capping student fares at 50% of the regular fare, and that there should be no hike in general public transport fares.