Kerala private bus operators are now saying their business is getting pushed to edge,and honestly,this is not small issue ah . Between diesel price jump and new free travel scheme for women and transgender passengers,they are claiming daily running itself is becoming difficult.
They are planning to meet Chief Minister V.D. Satheeshan and explain what exactly they are facing . T. Gopinathan of the All Kerala Bus Operators Organisation said that after last fare revision in 2022,diesel price has gone up by approximately ₹10 per litre.
Now that may sound like just one fuel hike on paper,but for one bus using 80 litres diesel daily,it means around ₹800 extra cost every day . For private operators already running on thin margin,this kind of daily pressure piles up very fast.
And then comes Priyadarshini free bus travel scheme . Because women and transgender passengers are getting free travel through state initiative,private operators say passenger numbers have dropped badly on their side.
Few numbers from operators are standing out here:
- Diesel hike after 2022 fare revision has added around ₹800 daily cost for buses using 80 litres .
- Losses now range from ₹1,000 to ₹4,000 per day for each bus,according to T. Gopinathan .
- Women passengers shifting to KSRTC buses has caused daily income drop of ₹2,000 to ₹6,000 for private operators .
Gopinathan has even warned that if current trend continues,many private buses may not be able to sustain operations even for a single day . That is why association wants meeting not just with Chief Minister,but also Transport Minister .
Recent budget did give 50% reduction in road tax for All India Permit vehicles,but operators say relief is too small . It brings only ₹130 to ₹150 in daily income for bus owners,which frankly does not balance fuel cost or passenger loss.
Hamsa Erikkunnan ,general secretary of Kerala Bus Operators Federation,also raised same worry . He said tax cut may help few operators on less competitive routes,but those directly competing with KSRTC are in very bad spot because operating income has shrunk so much that they are struggling to cover fuel costs or pay workers.
And tbh,their demand is not complicated from their side . They want government to allow zero-ticket travel on private buses for women too,similar to KSRTC scheme,and give financial compensation equal to fare reimbursements given to KSRTC.
Erikkunnan warned that without such steps,private bus services on routes dominated by KSRTC could stop as early as June 30 . So now question is simple but uncomfortable,will government treat private buses as part of same public transport system,or leave them to slowly disappear…
