The Transport Department is set to meet with private bus operators in Tiruppur on July 7 to address public complaints regarding a recent fare revision. The department’s decision comes after social activists brought the issue to their attention, highlighting the impact on workers in the unorganised sector and students who rely heavily on private bus services in the Erode-Tiruppur-Coimbatore sector. Unilateral fare revision has been a point of contention, with bus operators increasing fares by ₹5 to ₹10 per ticket, depending on the distance, without following the proper procedure. According to an official, bus operators are required to submit details of rising fuel costs and toll charges to the government, which then holds consultations and seeks public feedback before revising fares.
However, the bus operators claim they had requested a fare revision in May, but received no response from the State Government, leaving them with no choice but to increase fares to sustain operations. The operators have agreed to revert to the old fare structure after the consultation date was fixed.
