Kerala private bus operators launch indefinite hunger strike over free travel scheme

Private bus operators across Kerala launched an indefinite hunger strike on Tuesday, escalating their protest against the state government's Priyadarshini free travel scheme introduced for KSRTC buses. The operators contend that the scheme has diverted passengers from private services, creating a severe financial burden on an already struggling sector.

The free travel initiative, which allows passengers to travel on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses without charge, has accelerated the financial distress facing private bus operators who depend on ticket revenue for survival. Industry representatives argue that the scheme has fundamentally altered the competitive landscape, making it impossible for private operators to sustain their services at current levels.

Operators are calling on the state government to implement protective measures for the private bus sector, including subsidies, tax relief, or restrictions on the scope of the free travel scheme. The indefinite nature of the strike indicates the operators' determination to press their demands and highlights the depth of the crisis in Kerala's private transport industry.

The standoff underscores the broader tension between the government's social welfare objectives and the commercial viability of the private sector. Officials have not yet responded to the operators' demands, and negotiations between stakeholders remain pending.