Kerala bus fare hike: Private bus operators to continue indefinite strike after talks with state govt fails

Kozhikode: Private bus operators in Kerala on Sunday decided to continue their three-day old indefinite strike demanding hike in minimum bus fare as the talks held by the state government with them failed. [caption id=“attachment_4289095” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AFP[/caption] “The government did not accept our demands. We cannot move ahead without a increase in the minimum fare to Rs.10 and the students concession from the existing Rs.1 to Rs 5 So, we have decided to continue with the indefinite strike,” an office-bearer of the Private Bus Owners association said. Earlier, Transport Minister A K Saseendran held a nearly two-hour long meeting with the association members at the government guest house here to find a solution to their issues. The government had on 14 February raised the minimum bus fare to Rs 8. Demanding that the minimum bus fare be hiked to Rs 10 and the students concession from the prevailing Re one to Rs five, the private bus operators in the state went on the indefinite strike from 16 February.