Bus strike: Malabar worst-hit

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPT. 25. The one-day State-wide token strike organised by private bus operators demanding withdrawal of the tax hike on buses which was announced by the Government along with the fare revision put the common man to a lot of hardship today.

Commuters in the State capital were among those who were affected by the strike even though the KSRTC operates a sizeable number of city services. The situation was worse in places where the KSRTC does not run city services.

The Malabar area, where normal train services disrupted by the Kadalundi mishap are yet to be restored, was the worst affected.

While the KSRTC did whatever it could to make up for the situation in places where it has a presence, parallel services had a field day all over the State. Large numbers of people were seen waiting for long periods at bus stops, especially in the capital city in spite of the best efforts of the KSRTC and the parallel services.

The organisations of bus operators which had spearheaded the strike jointly, have warned of an indefinite strike from October 1 if their demand is not met by then.

The Transport Minister, Mr. K.B. Ganesh Kumar, has categorically turned down their demand. He told newsmen in Kochi that the bus operators cannot accept the fare revision and reject the tax hike which was announced after taking into consideration all related factors.

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Section  : Southern States
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