Private Bus Operators Protest, Warn of Statewide Strike After February 13

Private bus operators and vehicle body manufacturers in Rajasthan staged a protest at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur on Thursday against the state transport department’s strict enforcement of the bus body code, warning that they may resort to an indefinite statewide strike after February 13 if their demands are not addressed.

The protest, organised by private bus operators’ associations, drew participation from operators across the state and received political backing from former Rajasthan minister and Congress leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, who expressed solidarity with the agitating transporters.

Protesters alleged that the sudden enforcement of the bus body code would severely impact private operators, particularly those running sleeper and tourist buses.

According to the operators, enforcement of the revised bus body code without sufficient transition time could result in large-scale penalties, vehicle grounding, and financial distress for fleet owners.

They argued that many buses currently in operation were manufactured before the latest code came into force and should not be subject to the new structural norms retrospectively.

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Later in the day, representatives of the private bus operators met the Rajasthan Transport Commissioner and submitted a memorandum outlining six key demands. A primary demand was that the bus body code issued by the Union government and adopted by the state should apply only to buses manufactured after January 30, 2026.

Operators also demanded that luggage carriers should not be removed from tourist vehicles, stage carriage buses, and suburban and rural service buses, citing operational feasibility and passenger needs.

Another major demand included the introduction of a separate tax structure for sleeper buses operating under All India Tourist Permits, similar to the system followed in Madhya Pradesh.

Operators argued that sleeper buses incur higher operational and maintenance costs and require a differentiated taxation framework.

The memorandum also sought waiver of taxes on buses requisitioned for election duty, stating that operators often incur losses when vehicles are deployed for government use.

In addition, operators demanded parity in fare structures with neighbouring states, claiming that higher operational costs and taxes in Rajasthan make it difficult to remain competitive.

Further, the association called for a complete waiver of motor vehicle tax for three years on the purchase of new buses, arguing that such an incentive would encourage fleet modernisation, improve passenger safety, and support the transport sector’s recovery following years of financial strain.

Satyanarayan Sahu, state president of the private bus operators’ association, said that if the government fails to respond positively to their demands, operators would have no option but to escalate the agitation. “If the issues are not resolved, we may announce an indefinite strike after February 13,” he said.

Transport department officials have indicated that discussions are ongoing, but no formal assurance has been announced so far. Any strike by private bus operators could significantly disrupt intercity and tourist travel across Rajasthan, particularly ahead of the upcoming peak travel season.