Private bus operators in Kerala have issued a formal threat to initiate a strike, citing mounting financial difficulties. The primary point of contention is the state government's 'Priyadarshini' free travel scheme, which allows certain groups to travel without charge on public and private transport. Operators claim that the lack of adequate government reimbursement for these passengers has led to unsustainable operational losses.

While the operators maintain that the scheme is directly responsible for their current economic distress, the state government has yet to issue a formal response regarding potential adjustments to the policy or subsidies for the private sector. The threat of a strike looms as a potential disruption to daily commuters who rely on private bus services, which form a significant portion of the state's public transit infrastructure. As of now, no specific date for the strike has been announced, leaving the situation in a state of uncertainty for the public.