The private bus strike announced by a section of operators from Tuesday in protest against the government’s alleged apathy towards the bus industry following the introduction of the ‘Priyadarshini’ free travel scheme has been called off after discussions with Transport Minister C.P. John here on Monday.

The decision to withdraw the strike came after the Minister assured the operators that their demands would be considered favourably.

The strike was called by a joint action committee comprising several bus owners’ associations, including the All Kerala Bus Operators’ Organisation, the Kerala Bus Transport Association and the Kerala State Bus Operators’ Coordination Committee. All the constituent organisations have now withdrawn from the agitation.