Private bus operators threaten hunger strike

Kolkata: Private bus operators have decided to go for a hunger strike demanding fare hike, reduction in diesel price and exemption of equated monthly installment (EMI) of vehicles from September 22.

"The hunger strike will be held near Y-channel at Esplanade. A similar protest will also be held in front of district magistrate offices in various parts of the state including Malda and East Midnapore," said Tapan Banerjee, general secretary of Joint Council of Bus Syndicates (JCBS) after conducting a meeting with representatives of West Bengal Bus MiniBus Owners Association, Bengal Bus Syndicate and others on Wednesday.

He reiterated that the private buses are running at huge losses and ticket sale proceeds do not even cover the diesel cost that has now shot up to Rs 77.06 per litre. The Central government has increased the diesel price more than 20 times since March till date. The diesel price has shot up by at least Rs 10.

"Keeping in mind the problems of the passengers, we have decided to run normal bus services during the hunger strike," pointed out Banerjee.

During pre lockdown period 6000 private buses used to run in the city and now only 1200 buses are running in the city.

This is because of the fact that private bus owners are unable to bear the maintenance cost of their vehicles.