Pvt bus operators demand fare hike, to go on strike on Jan 6

Private and mini bus operators' associations in West Bengal today announced that they will hold a one-day "token" strike on January 6 demanding fare revision.
"The decision on this was taken after a meeting of five bus and mini bus operators' associations here during the day", vice-president of Bengal Bus Syndicate, Dipak Sarkar told PTI.
The strike call comes a day after state transport minister Madan Mitra ruled out any hike in bus fares.
"When diesel prices are rising on a regular basis, how can bus fares be controlled?" Sarkar asked.
Besides, the Joint Council of Bus Syndicates, the Minibus operator's Coordination Committee and the All Bengal Bus and Mini Bus Co-ordination Committee, Howrah have also supported the strike call, he said.

Private bus operators have been demanding a fare hike to cope with increasing operational costs and a substantial rise in fuel price.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday, state transport minister Madan Mitra had said it was not correct on the part of the bus operators to claim that the existing fare structure was not viable.
"Any hike in bus fares is not on the government's agenda. The operators are incorrectly claiming that the current fare structure is loss-making," Mitra told reporters.
He had also urged the bus operators' unions not to go on strike demanding fare revision.