Rajasthan Private Bus Strike Brings Transport to a Halt; 25 Lakh Passengers Affected

Jaipur, Rajasthan: The private bus sector in Rajasthan has come to a standstill as 30,000 private buses launched an indefinite strike late Monday night, protesting alleged arbitrary actions and policies of the RTO and DTO. The strike has severely disrupted daily commuting, leaving nearly 25 lakh passengers stranded, particularly in rural areas where alternatives to private buses are limited.

Failed Talks with Government

A delegation of bus operators met officials at the Chief Minister’s office under the leadership of Secretary Akhil Arora. Senior operators including Praveen Agrawal and Satyanarayan participated in the talks. However, the first round of discussions ended without resolution. Following the government’s firm stance, bus operators in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra have also expressed solidarity, turning the protest into an interstate movement.

Chaos on Roads, Passengers Stranded

With the strike underway, major city bus stands in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Ajmer, and Udaipur witnessed huge crowds of stranded passengers. Daily commuters faced disruptions, and rural routes were hit hardest due to the limited availability of Rajasthan Roadways buses, which many residents rely on exclusively.

Online bookings for around 3 lakh passengers will now require refunds of approximately ₹20 crore daily to private operators.

Reasons Behind the Strike

According to Rajendra Sharma, President of the Rajasthan Bus Operators Association, operators are furious with the functioning of Jaipur RTO offices 1 and 2. Complaints include:

• Heavy fines being issued arbitrarily
• Buses being seized over minor infractions

Key Demands of Operators

1. RC Restoration: Immediate reinstatement of suspended bus registration certificates.
2. Ban on Seizures: Stop the practice of offloading passengers mid-route and seizing buses.
3. Permit Tax Relief: Reduce AIPP permit tax similar to Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
4. Section 153 Action: Halt strict enforcement under Section 153 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

The government has instructed Rajasthan Roadways to operate additional buses, but officials admit these measures are insufficient given the vast private bus fleet.

With no resolution in sight, the strike continues to impact daily life across the state and neighboring regions, putting pressure on authorities to urgently address the operators’ demands.