<!– /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:”"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –>

Kochi, Friday, November 27, 2009: Jose Thettayil, minister for transport informed here today that, the government would conduct talks with private bus operators who have announced indefinite strike from December 1^st. Minister added that, the government would not concede to the demands of the bus owners and the talks are arranged according to the appeal made by bus owners.

Minister was speaking to media persons here.

The private bus operators had demanded an increase in the minimum fares from the present Rs 3.50 to Rs 5. They had also demanded an increase in the subsidised ticket fares of students to 50 percent of the actual fare from the present 25 percent. Transport Minister Jose Thettayil had earlier made it clear that the demands of the private bus operators could not be accepted and immediate decisions could not be taken on certain issues.