THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Private buses in the state will go on an indefinite strike from November 3. The joint strike committee, comprising six bus owner associations, has called for the strike. The strike is in protest against the government's failure to compensate for the losses incurred due to Priyadarshini service.
The organizations said that although the government was informed about the strike on October 16, no favorable decision was taken. The bus owners said that they are proceeding with the strike under these circumstances. The decision was taken at a meeting of the joint private bus owners held in Palakkad.
The strike is being held under the leadership of various organizations, including the Kerala Bus Transport Association, All Kerala Bus Operators Forum, All Kerala Bus Operators Organization, Kerala Private Bus Operators Association, and Kerala Bus Operators Coordination Committee.
The special commission appointed by the government on September 2 had submitted recommendations to the government to resolve the losses in the private bus sector.
However, the bus owners alleged that the government made no effort to implement those recommendations. We tried our best to avoid a strike. Our stand is that passengers should not be inconvenienced. However, since the government is unwilling to help, the bus owners clarified that there is no option left other than a strike.