Private bus operators call off indefinite strike after talks with transport minister

Thiruvananthapuram: Private bus operators have announced that no indefinite strike will be observed from  Tuesday. The announcement was made after their talks with the transport minister. In the meeting, the minister asked the bus operators to hold talks with student associations on the hike in student concession rate. Transport secretary will chair the meeting on July 29.

On Wednesday, the All Kerala Bus Operators organisation General Secretary T Gopinathan said that private buses will go on indefinite strike as the talks with the government failed. Representatives of the bus operators alleged that the government is ignoring their demands despite repeated requests. Their key demands include a revision of student concession rates, renewal of expired permits without delay, and withdrawal of the directive converting limited-stop buses into ordinary services. The bus operators also called for immediate government action to repair damaged roads. Additionally, they urged authorities to stop the strict enforcement of penalty norms.

Announcing the protest against the government, the bus operators had observed a statewide strike on July 8.