Kochi: In a unique protest against the state government's decision to introduce free travel for women on KSRTC ordinary buses, a private bus operator in Ernakulam has launched a one-day token strike by offering free bus travel for men.
Free Ride for Men
Davis B O, the owner of the 'Little Flower' bus operating on the Aluva-Athani-Manjali route, announced that male passengers can travel free of charge for one day on his bus. This move is a direct response to the government's 'Priyadarshini' scheme, part of the Indira guarantee initiative, which provides free travel for women and transgender individuals on 3,125 ordinary KSRTC buses starting Monday.
Sweet Gesture for Loyal Women Passengers
Additionally, Davis plans to distribute sweets to women who choose to ride his buses instead of the free government service. "We want to thank the women passengers who ignore the free ride and continue to travel in our buses," Davis told TOI, adding that the gesture is a personal decision to highlight the plight of private bus operators.
"Bus operators like me will be badly hit by the move. With free rides on offer, we fear the women commuters will ditch us and question marks will be raised on our very survival. Never in my 40 years in the industry have I faced such a crisis," said Davis, a state member of the Private Bus Operators Association (PBOA).
Financial Impact on Operators
His bus conducts 14 round trips daily from 6.30am to 8pm, earning around Rs 10,500 in revenue. "After all expenses, what we get at the end of the day is a paltry Rs 1,000," he explained, warning that the new policy will break the back of the industry. Riyas A J, vice-president of Bus Operators Confederation of India, national committee, will perform the symbolic inauguration on Monday at the Aluva Municipal bus stand.
Domino Effect Feared
The private bus sector fears the policy will trigger a domino effect. PBOA secretary K M Siraj expressed concern that MLAs across all 140 constituencies will now demand more ordinary KSRTC buses to satisfy local voters, pushing nearly 10,000 private operators out of business. "We've taken up the issue with the government, but to no avail; they have declined to interfere. This imbalance will ultimately weaken the state's entire public transport ecosystem," he added.
