The Kerala State Bus Operators’ Associations Coordination Committee has threatened to go on strike from November 1 if their charter of demands, including tax break, fuel subsidy and fare hike, are not accepted by the government.
“The fuel price rise has put a huge burden on bus operators. As private buses are a part of common man’s life, the government should take immediate steps to support the industry,” committee office-bearers said after a meeting here on Saturday.
When the bus charge was hiked last according to Ramachandran Commission report, the diesel price was ₹62 a litre. Now it has reached ₹78. Private buses use 70-100 litres of diesel a day. The expenses have increased by ₹1,500-₹2,000 a day. In such a situation, the buses cannot conduct services, they said.
“Many private buses have stopped services as they are not viable. Many are winding up the business as they are not able to bear the running cost,” the office-bearers said.
Demands of operators included increasing the minimum charge to ₹10, maintaining the distance that can be travelled in minimum charge as single state, increasing minimum fare for students to ₹5 and subsidy on diesel price for private buses.