Tamil Nadu private buses to strike Sept 29 over fare hike, free travel scheme

Chennai: Private bus operators across Tamil Nadu, except those in Chennai, Madurai, Nagercoil and Udhagamandalam, will observe a 24-hour token strike from midnight on September 29. The Federation of Bus Operators Association of Tamil Nadu is demanding a passenger fare revision and opposing the expansion of the state government's free travel scheme for women, set for October 2.

The federation says about 7,000 private buses operate in the state and the sector is running at a 65 per cent loss. Diesel now costs over ₹100 a litre, versus ₹64 when fares were last revised in 2018. Federation President Thangaraj said the sector will become unviable without a fare revision.

The Madras High Court in March 2023 directed the government to seek views on a fare revision, but operators say no action followed. They argue the expanded free travel scheme will worsen losses because private operators get no subsidy, unlike state transport undertakings. The strike runs from midnight on September 29 to midnight on September 30.