Private bus strike on December 14, 18

Kochi: Two private bus operators’ associations have announced bus stirs from December 14 and December 18  demanding a hike in bus fares after a conevntion of the All-Kerala Bus Operators’ Organisation held here on Monday.

“Since the last ticket charge hike, the price of diesel has gone up by Rs 7.50. The bus owners are finding it difficult to cope with the increasing fuel price. We’ll hold an indefinite strike from December 18,” said T. Gopinath, co-ordination committee chairman.

M.B. Sathyan, president of the Kerala State Private Bus Operators’ Federation, said they will hold a token strike on December 14 raising the same demand. However, if the state government failed to address their concerns, they will launch an indefinite stir, he said.