Private Sleeper Buses to Strike in Rajasthan from January 24, Operators Protest Heavy Fines

Jaipur, Rajasthan: Travelling by road in Rajasthan may be difficult starting January 24, as private sleeper bus operators have announced a statewide strike against what they call heavy-handed actions by the Transport Department. Over 2,000 sleeper buses are expected to remain off the roads during the protest. Operators claim they are being harassed under the guise of new regulations, putting the government under pressure to respond.

Operators Accuse ‘Extortion’ Under New Rules
The dispute stems from new rules implemented by the central government on 1 September 2025. Operators allege that RTO officials are misusing these regulations, particularly targeting buses registered before the implementation date. With heavy fines and bus seizures, operators have described the actions as unethical and unfair.

Issues Over Fire Alarms and Taxation
Madan Yadav, Vice President of the Rajasthan Contact Carriage Bus Operators Association, said that responsibility for installing fire alarm systems should lie with chassis manufacturers, not the operators. The association also demands that AITP permit buses be taxed rationally, similar to policies in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Directives to remove carriers from rural buses have also been challenged as being against regulations.

Threat to Block Assembly if Demands Ignored
The strike on January 24 is only the beginning, warned the association. If the government does not meet their demands, bus operators have threatened to march to Jaipur and stage a sit-in during the upcoming Assembly session. The decision by over 2,000 sleeper bus operators has already raised concerns among regular passengers and tourists about potential disruptions in the state’s transport network.