Private bus operators to go on strike on June 29

KOZHIKODE: The Kerala private bus operators have called for a state-wide token strike on June 29 demanding an immediate hike in bus fares in the wake of increase in diesel prices. All Kerala Bus Operators Organisation general secretary T Gopinathan said the minimum bus fare should be increased from Rs 4 to Rs 6 and the charge per kilometre should be hiked to 65 paise. “The present fare was fixed when the price of  diesel was Rs 37. Now, one litre of diesel costs Rs 45 and the fares should be hiked proportionally,” he said.“It is learnt that the Fare Revision Committee formed by the government has already recommended a fare hike months ago. However, the state government should also consider the present fuel price hike while fixing the new fares,” leaders said.The bus operators also said that students of self financing colleges could not be given concession. “Students of government and aided education institutions can be given concession in buses. That too, only up to 50 per cent. The co-ordination committee will convene a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram next week to discuss further action to press for the demands.Minister’s pleaTransport Minister V S Sivakumar said, “The government requests the private bus owners organisations to desist from going on strike. Even though the private bus owners have not formally communicated to the government, the government is willing to hold discussions with them.”