KOCHI: The majority of the private buses operating within Kochi and to other parts of the state kept off the road on Tuesday, when the Bus Operators Confederation called a 24-hour strike.
The city witnessed traffic blocks during peak hours as many private vehicles hit the road. In some areas, especially in the suburbs, commuters faced difficulty in reaching their destinations on time. The KSRTC conducted additional services to long-distance routes to ease the inconvenience caused to the public.
Bus operators called the token strike after talks with Transport Minister A K Saseendran failed. Their main demands are government’s approval for renewal of bus permits, hike in ticket fares and withdrawal of the recent tax revision.
“The government is yet to issue a notification on the renewal of permits. If it is not done before February 7, all the existing permits would get cancelled. We also demand a hike in ticket fares and revision of the concession offered to students. Last year alone, fuel price increased by around Rs 15, and there is a similar rise in spare-part prices. The minimum ticket fare should be increased to Rs 9,” said Private Bus Operators Association president M B Sathyan.
“If our demands are not considered, we would launch an indefinite strike from February 2,” said Sathyan.