Kerala Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar will meet private bus owners today at 3:30 PM, following their announcement of an indefinite strike starting July 22.
The Joint Action Committee of bus owners has raised a series of pressing demands, including a hike in student concession fares and permits for routes over 140 kilometers. They have also voiced strong objections to what they allege are excessive inspections and unfair fines by the Motor Vehicles Department and the police.
Once a thriving industry with 32,000 buses on the roads, Kerala’s private bus sector has now dwindled to just 7,000 vehicles. Bus owners warn that without immediate government action, the sector faces total collapse.
Earlier discussions led by the Transport Commissioner failed to resolve the standoff, prompting a token strike on July 7 and now an impending indefinite shutdown. Today’s high-stakes meeting is seen as the government’s final opportunity to defuse the crisis and prevent statewide disruption in public transportation.
