THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The private bus operators’ indefinite strike has begun in the state. The strike was declared by a joint strike committee of various bus owners’ organizations in protest of the unchanged ticket fares amid the backdrop of the rising fuel prices. Even after assuring a fare hike, the government is delaying its decision, said the bus owners.

The strike demands include raising the minimum charge to Rs 10, increasing the student ticket rate to Rs 6 and a hike of the per kilometre rate by one rupee 10 paise. Since the school annual examinations have begun, the strike will also affect the students. Meantime, 62 private buses continue to operate services in Thiruvananthapuram city.

Transport Minister Antony Raju had previously said that the decision to hike the bus fares was taken earlier. However, a decision is yet to be reached on the exact dates from when onwards the revised charges would apply. The bus owners should not think that they can pressurize the government through the strike, the minister had said earlier. The government has decided to operate more KSRTC services.