Private bus operators to strike in Keralam from November 3

A sizeable section of private bus operators in Keralam has announced an indefinite, State-wide strike beginning November 3, under the banner of the Samyuktha Samara Samiti, a collective of five bus operator associations. The decision, announced on Friday, October 16, follows mounting concerns within the sector over a sharp drop in daily revenue, which operators say intensified after the Priyadarshini free travel scheme for women in KSRTC buses was introduced in June.

Background and reasons cited

The Samiti’s announcement came after a meeting held on October 16 to review what it described as a deepening crisis in the private bus sector. Representatives noted that the number of private buses operating in the State has fallen dramatically over the past decade—from about 35,000 to roughly 10,000 now—underscoring the industry’s financial strain and the exodus of operators.

Operators contend that the Priyadarshini scheme, which provides free travel for women in KSRTC buses, has contributed to a fall in fare revenue for private services by diverting passengers. They argue that without compensatory support or policy adjustments, the viability of the private bus network—an important component of public transport across many districts—will continue to erode.

Earlier in the week, private bus operators staged a protest in front of the Secretariat on October 14, pressing the government to address their demands and warning of intensified action if no relief was forthcoming.

Key demands from the Samyuktha Samara Samiti

Alongside the strike call, the Samyuktha Samara Samiti outlined a set of demands aimed at stabilising operations and aligning fare structures with rising costs:

• Extend the Priyadarshini free travel scheme for women to private buses as well, with the government reimbursing operators for the foregone fare.
• Increase the fare for students who travel under concession, citing the gap between concessionary rates and current operating costs.
• Undertake a fare revision mechanism that accounts for frequent hikes in diesel prices.
• Provide relaxation in the government’s share of tax linked to fuel rates paid by private bus operators.
• Have the government bear the insurance expense of buses to ease the financial burden on operators.

Parallel protest action planned

In a related move, office-bearers of the Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation have said they will begin an indefinite hunger strike in front of the Secretariat starting October 27. The Federation’s protest is intended to press for immediate steps to protect the private bus sector and to urge the government to engage with operators’ demands before services are disrupted further.

What’s next

With the indefinite State-level strike set to commence on November 3, the Samyuktha Samara Samiti has signalled that its member associations intend to continue their protest until substantive measures are announced. The operators maintain that extending the women’s free travel scheme to private buses, revising fares to reflect diesel price fluctuations, and providing targeted fiscal relief are essential to prevent further attrition in the sector.

Published: October 16, 2026, 4:46 p.m. IST