Private bus staff in Salem protest free travel scheme for women

Protest at Salem bus stands

Private bus drivers and conductors in Salem staged a protest on Tuesday against the state government's decision to extend the free travel scheme for women to express, LSS, and deluxe government buses. The announcement was made by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday, triggering strong resistance from private bus operators.

At the Salem Central Bus Stand, private buses bound for outstation routes were halted and kept off the roads, according to The Times of India. Drivers, conductors, and other staff gathered inside the terminal, raising slogans demanding the withdrawal of the scheme. The Hindu reported that drivers and conductors of more than 30 private buses plying to Attur, Vazhapadi, and Kallakurichi from Salem New Bus Stand staged the protest, raising slogans demanding cancellation of the expansion.

Grievances of the workers

The protesting workers argued that the free travel plan, already in force in city buses, is severely impacting the revenue of private operators. "Our daily earnings are shrinking, leaving drivers and conductors struggling to make ends meet," said V Sekar, a conductor. He added that with the scheme being extended to long-distance government buses, private services will suffer irreparable losses.

Protesters further pointed out that the daily commission based on passenger numbers would be drastically reduced. The Hindu reported that they alleged that free travel provided on town buses has already caused private buses to sustain losses, and expansion would further affect them.

Demands and next steps

The protesters demanded that the government either scrap the scheme or provide compensation to private bus staff similar to the subsidy offered to state-run transport corporations. Some urged that private bus employees be absorbed as government staff to safeguard their livelihoods. The Hindu reported that private bus operators are willing to allow free travel for women if the government provides subsidies to private buses.

Various transport union leaders warned that if the scheme was fully implemented, protests would intensify across Tamil Nadu. They added that their associations would soon convene a meeting to decide on the next course of action.