CHENNAI: Trade unions representing employees of the State Transport Corporations will hold demonstrations and gate meetings in all regions on January 22, 2026, and submit objections on behalf of workers before the January 24 deadline, opposing the proposed amendment to motor vehicle rules that would allow private buses to be taken on permanent lease.
The decision was taken at a joint meeting of transport unions affiliated to CITU, AITUC, INTUC and TTSF, held at the CITU office on January 8.
The unions said the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporations had long been regarded as a model for public transport services across the country, but had witnessed a steady decline in recent years. During 2016–17, the corporations operated 20,839 routes with 23,078 buses, including 2,239 spare buses, and employed about 1.40 lakh workers. At present, the number of routes has fallen to 18,674, with 20,508 buses, including 1,834 spare buses, while the workforce has reduced to around 1.07 lakh.
Trade unions resolved to continue joint action against privatisation measures and appealed all employees to participate in the planned programmes
According to the unions, the earlier AIADMK government introduced Section 288 (A) in the Motor Vehicles Act in 2020 with the intention of reducing the public fleet and hiring private buses. They alleged that this provision was now being used to operate private buses on hire.
They said the Tamil Nadu government had issued a notification on December 24, 2025, proposing further amendments to Section 288 (A) to permit permanent leasing of private buses, a move they claimed would weaken the transport corporations and promote privatisation.
As part of their response, the unions said they would coordinate the submission of objections from a large number of workers within the stipulated time. They also resolved to continue joint action against privatisation measures and appealed to all employees to participate in the planned programmes.