Private bus operators in Keralam begin indefinite hunger strike

Private bus operators in Keralam stage a protest in front of the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. (File photo)

Private bus operators in Keralam began an indefinite hunger strike in front of the Secretariat here on Tuesday (October 27, 2026), seeking measures to protect the private bus industry amid the crisis in the sector following the introduction of the Priyadarshini free travel scheme. Rijas A.J., national vice-president of the Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India, inaugurated the fast.

K.K. Thomas, State president of the Kerala Bus Operators Federation, and Sharanya Manoj, vice-president of the federation, began the hunger strike at 10 a.m. and they will continue until their demands are met. The main demands of the private bus operators include measures to protect the private bus industry, implementation of the recommendations of the Padmakumar Commission, and an increase in student ticket fares as well as bus fares, including the base fare.

The operators also seek the provision of services legally due from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) without any hindrances. They also demand the timely renewal of permits for long-distance buses operating beyond 140 km, and the withdrawal of the decision to take over these routes by the KSRTC.

According to the federation’s office-bearers, the free travel scheme has eroded the women-passenger base of the private buses on routes where KSRTC has a monopoly. Further, the crisis has been exacerbated by factors such as an ₹8-per-litre increase in diesel prices and the rising cost of spare parts required for bus operations.