Kochi: Private buses across the state will stay off the roads on Tuesday as part of a token strike called by bus owners raising various demands including fare revision. The Kerala state Bus Operators Confederation, comprising of the Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation, the Kerala State Private Bus Operators Forum and the Kerala State Private Bus Limited Stop Operators, also warned off an indefinite stir from February two upon the government continuing to ignore the demands.
The confederation had given a notice to the state government a month back with the request to consider four demands – hike in minimum bus fare to Rs nine, retain all existing route permits of private buses, withdraw road tax hike (13 to 78 per cent) and also cut diesel sales tax from existing 24 to five per cent. The Bus Operators Organisation and the Kerala Bus Transport Association, which were not part of the confederation, had also pledged support to the token strike.
