2 hrs ago
Tamil Nadu Private Bus Operators Plan 24-Hour Strike Over Fares
Private bus companies in much of Tamil Nadu plan to stop working for one day.
Their strike will begin at midnight on September 29 and end at midnight on September 30.
They want the government to increase the fares passengers pay.
The companies say fuel and spare parts have become much more expensive.
They say their fares were last changed in 2018.
They also disagree with expanding free travel for women on October 2.
State-run bus companies receive government money for this program, but private companies say they do not.
The operators want higher fares and financial support if the free-travel plan includes their buses.
Private bus operators across Tamil Nadu, excluding Chennai, Madurai, Nagercoil, and Udhagamandalam, will strike for 24 hours.
The strike is scheduled from midnight on September 29 to midnight on September 30.
Operators are demanding a passenger-fare revision, saying diesel and spare-part costs have sharply increased.
They say fares were last revised in 2018, when diesel cost Rs 64 per litre, compared with more than Rs 100 now.
Operators also oppose expanding free bus travel for women because private buses do not receive the subsidies provided to state transport undertakings.
- Who
- Private bus operators represented by the Federation of Bus Operators Association of Tamil Nadu.
- What
- A 24-hour token strike demanding revised passenger fares and opposing the proposed expansion of free travel for women.
- Where
- Across Tamil Nadu, except Chennai, Madurai, Nagercoil, and Udhagamandalam.
- When
- From midnight on September 29 to midnight on September 30; the free-travel expansion is scheduled for October 2.
- Why
- Operators cite rising diesel and spare-part costs, reported losses, and the absence of subsidies for private buses participating in the free-travel scheme.
Private Bus Operators
State-Supported Transport Policy
Passenger fares
Private Bus Operators
Operators say fares must be revised because higher diesel and spare-part costs have made the sector financially unviable.
State-Supported Transport Policy
The articles do not state the state government’s position on the requested fare increase or explain why a revision has not proceeded.
Free travel for women
Private Bus Operators
Operators oppose the planned expansion unless private buses are included and receive subsidies comparable to those given to state transport undertakings.
State-Supported Transport Policy
The state’s free-travel expansion is scheduled for October 2, while the articles provide no direct government response to the operators’ objections.
Key facts
- Strike duration
- 24 hours
- Strike timing
- Midnight September 29 to midnight September 30
- Affected area
- Tamil Nadu, excluding Chennai, Madurai, Nagercoil, and Udhagamandalam
- Private bus fleet
- About 7,000 buses operate in Tamil Nadu
- Last fare revision
- 2018, when diesel cost Rs 64 per litre
- Current diesel price
- More than Rs 100 per litre
- Reported operator losses
- Around 65 per cent
- Related court action
- The Madras High Court directed the state government in March last year to seek views on fare revision
Quotes
Thangaraj
President of the Federation of Bus Operators Association of Tamil Nadu
“The expansion of the scheme will further worsen the financial position of private bus operators. The government should extend the free travel scheme to private buses as well and provide a subsidy to compensate us”
deccanchronicle.com
“We are currently operating at a loss of around 65 per cent. Unless fares are revised, the private bus sector will become unviable”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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