Thiruvananthapuram, Tuesday, March 09, 2010: The private bus strike announced from Thursday was called off following talks between Jose Thettayil Minister for transports and bus operators.
Minister informed bus operators that a permanent system to study the needs and demands of bus operators would be constituted the committee would look into issues including the cut in the concession rate of students.

Bus owners have declared indefinite bus strike from Thursday demanding increase in fares and concessional rate for the students. The threat for strike came soon after the government announced increase in the existing fares.

The bus owners are demanding more hike pointing out that the price of petroleum products have gone up after NATPAC submitted their report to the government. The new fares were announced considering the NATPAC report.

Another important demand of the bus owners is a re-think on the concessional rates for students. This long standing demand has seldom got prominence as the government is fearful of the reaction from the various student organisations. Even the student wings of the ruling parties have warned of agitation, if the government amends the concessional rates.