Private bus operators will take out a march to the Secretariat and hold a dharna on October 14, 2026, demanding measures to protect the private bus industry.
The Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation will also observe a token strike on the day as part of its agitation to press various demands. This will be followed by a fast by federation office-bearers in front of the Secretariat in the last week of October if their demands are not met.
If the State government fails to take a favourable decision despite the protests, the bus operators, in consultation with other organisations, will launch an indefinite strike by suspending all services in the first week of November, said the federation in a statement in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday (September 30, 2026).
The demands include measures to protect private bus operators and employees affected by the State government’s Priyadarshini free travel scheme for women and transgender persons; a hike in bus fares, including student concession fares, in proportion to the increase in operating costs; and withdrawal of the Transport Commissioner’s order to conduct timing conferences exclusively in online mode.
Published – September 30, 2026 05:55 pm IST
