KOZHIKODE: Normal life was partially affected in the district on Friday following the State-wide token strike called by bus operators demanding a revision in fare including students’ concession.
Although the Kozhikode district unit of the Bus Operators Association had earlier decided not to take part in the strike, it later joined the one-day protest.
The token strike mostly hit commuters in the city. Though around 300 private buses conducted services in the city, regular commuters had to take to alternative modes of transport or resort to hitch-hiking.
There were complaints of autorickshaw drivers refusing to take in passengers for short-distance travel. The situation turned worse by evening when autorickshaw drivers began charging exorbitant rates. Many felt the district administration should have relaxed permit rules for autorickshaws to operate in the city.
Bus Operators Association general secretary K. Radhakrishnan said around 1,800 buses in the district kept off the road.
“Transport Minister Thomas Chandy held talks with bus operators on Wednesday. We are now awaiting the State government’s response. The hike in private bus fare is long overdue. We won’t go back on our demands,” Mr. Radhakrishnan asserted.
Close to 800 buses from other districts usually reach the Palayam and mofussil bus stations. The strike forced several commuters to depend on KSRTC buses to reach the rural areas. The Transport Minister had issued orders to the KSRTC to operate additional services in view of the strike. But regular private bus commuters had a tough time as KSRTC depots stuck to their regular schedules.
The Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation, Kerala Bus Transport Association, and All Kerala Bus Operators Forum took part in the State-wide strike.