Rajasthan bus operators plan strike over fare demands

Private bus operators in Rajasthan plan to strike from mid-April over unresolved demands. They seek a fare increase, as ticket prices have not changed in ten years despite rising fuel costs and taxes. The Bus Operator Association claims the state has not acted on their requests. They want rural bus fares to match those of state-run buses and to eliminate an extra charge of 50 paise per kilometer. Additionally, operators want to extend the permit duration for out-of-state vehicles from 30 days to six months. They argue that increased traffic from coaching centers has led to unfair taxation on parents visiting students.