Hike in Student Bus Fare in Kerala: Why Private Operators are Protesting?
Private bus operators in Kerala are demanding a hike in student bus fare in Kerala from Rs 2 to Rs 6, warning of a potential statewide strike if the government does not address their long-pending request for a fare revision and financial relief.
Private bus operators in Kerala are intensifying their demand for a hike in student bus fare in Kerala, warning of a potential strike if the government does not address their concerns.
The protest, led by the All Kerala Bus Operators Organisation (AKBOO), will take place from April 3 to April 9, with a march from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram, demanding urgent government intervention.
Operators argue that the current student fare structure is outdated and financially unsustainable.
Private Operators Demands
Operators’ demands include:
- Increasing the student bus concession price to a minimum fare of ₹6
- Renewing private bus permits
- Regulating excessive fines
- Withdrawing financially burdensome government directives
Bus operators have warned that if the government fails to act, bus services may be halted by the end of April, impacting thousands of daily commuters, including students who rely on affordable transport.
The demand for a hike in student bus fare in Kerala has been ongoing since March 24, 2021, when bus operators proposed raising the student fare to ₹6. The last fare revision took place in 2012, setting the rate at ₹2.
In May 2022, the Justice Ramachandran Commission recommended increasing student fares alongside a general fare hike.
However, instead of implementing the recommendation, the government appointed another committee led by Planning Board member K. Raviraman to reassess the proposal. The committee’s report has yet to be made public, further delaying any policy change.
With growing financial pressure and a lack of action from authorities, Kerala’s private bus operators remain firm in their demand for a fare revision. The coming weeks will determine whether the government will intervene or risk a public transport crisis.
