Free Travel Scheme in KSRTC Buses Hits Private Operators; Around 200 Buses in Thrissur to Halt Services

Thrissur: The private bus sector is facing a severe crisis following the government's "Priyadarshini Free Travel" scheme, with around 200 private buses in Thrissur district preparing to suspend operations, unable to bear the resulting losses.

Bus owners have decided to submit Form G to the Motor Vehicles Department next month. They say that despite running services from morning to night, they are now unable to even pay their staff's wages.

After accounting for fuel costs and vehicle maintenance, their income has dropped to nearly half of what it used to be. Workers are currently getting paid only Rs 500 a day, union office-bearers point out.

Private bus owners had pinned high hopes on the budget, but no favourable announcement was made for the sector. Their demands to the government include taking over private buses, supplying fuel at half price, extending the free travel scheme to private buses as well, and providing the corresponding amount to owners as subsidy.

With none of these demands being considered by the government, owners are now moving towards drastic action. Ten private buses in Thrissur city have already submitted Form G. Buses operating on routes such as Thrissur-Palakkad, Govindapuram, Kozhinjampara, Chalakudy-Mala and Kodungallur-Ernakulam are among those preparing to suspend services en masse. Form G is the provision that allows a bus to suspend service for a specified period.