TN Private Bus Operators Observe 24-Hour Strike, Seek Passenger Fare Revision

Private bus operators across Tamil Nadu, excluding those in Chennai, Madurai, Nagercoil and Udhagamandalam, will observe a 24-hour strike from midnight on Monday to press for a revision of passenger fares and oppose the proposed expansion of the state government's free travel scheme for women.

The strike will continue until midnight on September 30, according to the Federation of Bus Operators Association of Tamil Nadu.

The federation said around 7,000 private buses operate across the state and claimed that rising diesel and spare-parts costs have pushed operators into mounting losses.

Federation president Thangaraj said passenger fares were last revised in 2018, when diesel cost around Rs 64 per litre. With diesel prices now exceeding Rs 100 per litre, operators are facing losses of around 65 per cent, he said.

"Unless fares are revised, the private bus sector will become unviable," Thangaraj told reporters on Monday.

The operators also pointed to a Madras High Court directive issued in March 2025, following a petition by private bus owners, asking the state government to obtain the views of operators and the public on a possible fare revision. The federation alleged that no further action had been taken on the matter.

Another major concern is the planned expansion of the women's free travel scheme from October 2. Private operators said state transport undertakings receive government subsidies to offset the cost of implementing the scheme, while private bus operators do not receive similar compensation.

"The expansion of the scheme will further worsen the financial position of private bus operators. The government should extend the free travel scheme to private buses as well and provide a subsidy to compensate us," Thangaraj said.

The operators have urged the Tamil Nadu government to address their demands, warning that continued increases in operating costs without a corresponding fare revision could threaten the viability of private bus services in the state.