Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, May 15: Protesting the non-implementation of a proposed automatic fare revision formula, All Orissa Private Bus Owners’ Association (AIPBOA) Friday threatened to go on a statewide indefinite strike from June 5.
The union said over 15,000 private-owned buses would go off roads if their 15-point charter of demands is not met by the government.
The foremost demand of AIPBOA is the constitution of an automatic fare revision formula by the state transport department’s technical committee so that fares can be reduced/increased automatically as per fluctuations in diesel prices.
“We have been requesting the state government since April, 2013 but there is no response. Now we can’t wait further for government’s decision. The stir would be indefinite across Orissa,” union’s general secretary Debendra Sahoo said.
Other demands include sprucing up of bus stands and ensuring amenities to women passengers. The union also objected to the plying of small passenger carriers on national highways without permits.
Another demand was the cancellation of the transport commissioner’s circular on termination of the permit of a bus in case it meets with an accident. Fixation of standard timings of origin and destination points was also sought as also the exclusion of toll fee from ticket price.
