Commuters across Kerala are set to face widespread disruption on Tuesday, July 8, as private bus operators launch a statewide token strike to protest unresolved issues with the government. The move follows failed talks with the Transport Commissioner, and the Bus Owners Joint Committee has warned of an indefinite strike from July 22 if their demands continue to be ignored.
Key demands include the renewal of expired permits without delay, a revision of student concession rates, withdrawal of orders converting limited-stop buses to ordinary services, reduction of e-challan fines, scrapping the rule mandating police clearance for crew, and the removal of expensive electronic monitoring systems from buses.
Transport Minister K. B. Ganesh Kumar has promised high-level discussions in the coming days, aiming to defuse the crisis. However, with private buses being a lifeline in Kerala’s rural and semi-urban areas, the strike is expected to cause significant inconvenience to thousands of daily passengers.
