Bus operators threaten strike over students' fare



THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Private bus operators have threatened to suspend services in the State if the government failed to increase the minimum fare for students. The State council meeting of the All Kerala Bus Operators' Organisation here demanded implementation of recommendations by Justice Ramachandran Nair Committee for increase in the fare for students. “The committee had recommended revision of the minimum fare for students from 50 paise to Re 1 and fixing of the rates at 25 per cent of the fares for the public. But the government refused to implement it,” T Gopinathan, State general secretary of the organisation, said. The sky-rocketing prices of tyre, spare parts and salary to the crew had pushed the private bus industry into a crisis and the reluctance on the part of the government to hike students' fare had made it difficult for the bus operators to run services, the organisation said. It also demanded ‘spot' ticket system for students in KSRTC buses instead of season tickets. Stringent action against parallel services, withdrawal of the move to stop diesel subsidy and roll back of increase in insurance premium were their other demands.

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