Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will continue operating bus services on July 9, defying the nationwide strike, according to Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar. Citing the public utility’s vital role, the minister stated that the current circumstances do not support KSRTC’s participation in the strike. He pointed out that during the previous protest, 94% of KSRTC employees reported for duty, reflecting a shift toward a more service-oriented work culture. He also assured that employees are largely content with their working conditions and that the government is addressing their issues.
However, the KSRTC-CITU faction and the INTUC have announced they will take part in the strike, claiming a notice was already served to the CMD. Meanwhile, private bus services came to a complete halt today across Kerala, severely impacting commuters, especially in rural areas. The Joint Protest Committee called for the strike after failed talks with the Transport Commissioner. Their key demands include hiking student concession fares, renewing permits for buses running over 140 km, and putting an end to arbitrary fines. As the national strike looms, tensions remain high in the state’s transport sector.
