Thiruvananthapuram: A section of private bus owners have announced a strike on Friday as a prelude to the indefinite strike from September 14 demanding a hike in fares, including that of students, which they claimed was long overdue. They also demanded a hike in the amount of student concession. However, the coordination committee of Kerala State Bus Operators' Association has called off the token strike following discussions with transport minister Thomas Chandy who promised to take up their demands with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
However, Kerala State Private Bus Operators' Federation, Kerala Bus Transport Association and the All Kerala Bus Operators' Forum have decided to go ahead with the strike over inclusion of petroleum products in GST and withdrawal of hike in vehicle insurance premium and withdrawal of the increase in road tax for stage carriages.
