Kerala private bus operators reject expert panel report, threaten stir

Private bus operators in Kerala have formally rejected the recommendations of an expert panel constituted to examine their grievances, and have warned of a potential strike if their core demands are not met.

At a meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram on September 3, 2026, members of the All Kerala Bus Operators Organisation voiced strong opposition to the report, stating that it failed to address two of their most pressing demands: the introduction of zero ticketing for women passengers and the provision of a diesel subsidy.

The organisation's leadership argued that the panel's recommendations fell short of providing the financial relief and policy changes necessary for the survival of the private transport sector in the state. The demand for zero ticketing for women, a scheme already implemented on state-run buses, is seen by operators as a crucial step towards ensuring gender-inclusive public transport without imposing an additional financial burden on private fleet owners.

Similarly, the call for a diesel subsidy is rooted in the escalating operational costs faced by private bus operators, who claim that rising fuel prices have made it increasingly difficult to maintain viable services, particularly on less profitable rural routes.

With the rejection of the report, the All Kerala Bus Operators Organisation has signaled its readiness to escalate its protest, including the possibility of a statewide strike. The coming days are likely to see further discussions between the operators and the state government as both sides attempt to resolve the impasse.