Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – Private bus operators across Kerala have declared an indefinite strike, effective from July 29, 2025, following the failure of discussions with student organizations regarding the long-standing demand for a revision of student concession fares.
This development comes after a series of negotiations aimed at averting widespread disruption to public transport in the state.
The Joint Committee of Bus Owners, a collective of various private bus operator associations, confirmed their decision to proceed with the indefinite strike. A crucial meeting held on July 29, chaired by the Transport Secretary and involving representatives from both bus owner unions and student outfits, failed to yield a consensus on the contentious issue of student concession rates.
Bus owners have consistently argued that the current student fare, which has remained at a nominal Re 1 for the past 13 years, is unsustainable given the escalating operational costs, including fuel prices, maintenance, and staff wages. They assert that the concession system significantly impacts their profitability and the viability of the private bus industry.
Their key demands also include the timely renewal of expired permits, the withdrawal of directives converting limited-stop buses into ordinary services, and the scrapping of mandatory police clearance certificates for bus crew.
Earlier, a planned indefinite strike from July 22 had been temporarily called off after talks with Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar on July 21. During that meeting, the Minister assured bus operators that a joint discussion with student organizations would be organized on July 29 to address the concession issue. It was also agreed to postpone the mandatory police clearance certificates for a month and to maintain the status quo on converting limited-stop buses if no legal issues arose. An app system to limit student concessions to eligible students within 45 days was also discussed.
However, with the July 29 talks failing to bridge the gap between bus owners and student representatives, the strike has now been reinstated.
The indefinite strike is expected to severely impact daily commuters, especially students and those in remote areas heavily reliant on private bus services. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is likely to operate additional services to mitigate the inconvenience, but a complete replacement of the extensive private bus network will be challenging.
The issue of student concessions has long been a point of contention between private bus operators and student bodies, with student organizations vehemently opposing any significant hike in fares. The state government now faces the challenge of finding a workable solution that addresses the economic concerns of bus owners while also ensuring affordable transportation for students.
