Private bus strike withdrawn after CM agrees to hike bus fare

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The indefinite strike staged by private buses in the state has been withdrawn. The decision to withdraw the strike was taken after holding talks with the chief minister. The bus owners decided to call off the four-days strike after the chief minister agreed to hike the fares.

The bus owners held a meeting with the chief minister and the transport minister at the secretariat at 9 am today. The office bearers informed that the chief minister had assured that the needs of the bus owners will be considered.

The private bus owners are suffering more than the people and students of Kerala. The chief minister said that he and the government are aware of all the problems of bus owners. However, the government has some limitations. The office bearers said the chief minister had asked to withdraw from the strike as the government is committed to help and protect them within their limits. The bus owners had convened a meet after discussions with the chief minister. They decided to withdraw from the strike after that.

The private bus operators were on indefinite strike demanding a fare hike.

The strike was staged demanding to hike minimum charge to Rs 12, concession charge of students to Rs 6 and exemption of vehicle tax. The chief minister said that a decision on the hike would be taken after the LDF meeting on March 30.

The bus owners had also announced a strike in last November. However, the strike was withdrawn following discussions with Minister Antony Raju. The bus owners were angry for neglecting them in the budget. About 8,000 buses in service had partaken in strike.