Gen Alpha protests bus fare hike in MP, govt assures schoolgirls of action

Schoolgirls in Madhya Pradesh's Vidisha district protested against a bus fare hike and sought restoration of old rates. The administration promised talks with private operators as students said higher fares were hurting attendance.Schoolgirls protest bus fare hike in Madhya Pradesh, demand return to old fares (Screen grab: ITG)Schoolgirls in Madhya Pradesh's Vidisha district staged a protest in Sironj on Wednesday against a recent increase in bus fares, saying the hike had made their daily commute to school a financial burden on their families. A large number of students from the Girls' Higher Secondary School, many of whom travel to Sironj from nearby rural areas, gathered at the bus stand and raised slogans for around half an hour, demanding that the increased fares be reduced.The students said fares on routes they use to travel to school had earlier ranged between Rs 10 and Rs 15 but had now been increased. They said the additional cost was particularly difficult for families with limited incomes.The protesting students said their families already bear the expenses of household needs and education, and the fare hike had added to their monthly financial burden. They demanded that students be allowed to travel at concessional fares so that the increased cost does not affect their regular attendance.STUDENTS APPEAL TO MLA FOR INTERVENTIONDuring the protest, the students also appealed to local representatives, including MLA Umakant Sharma, to intervene and help reduce the fares. They said affordable transportation was essential for students travelling from rural areas to attend school in Sironj and urged the authorities to ensure that the earlier fares were restored.OFFICIAL REACHES SPOT, ASSURES STUDENTSThe protest continued for around 30 minutes before SDM Om Narayan Badkul, SDOP and the local police station in-charge reached the bus stand and spoke to the students. The SDM listened to their concerns and assured them that the administration would discuss the matter with private bus operators and explore the possibility of allowing schoolgirls from rural areas to travel at the earlier fares."We have heard the students' problems and will make every effort to ensure that girls travelling from rural areas can commute to school at the old fare. We will call a meeting of bus operators and discuss the issue to resolve it at the earliest," Badkul said.Following the SDM's assurance, the students agreed to end their protest.The students, however, maintained that their main demand was restoration of the earlier bus fares so that those travelling from rural areas can continue attending school without facing an additional financial burden. The next step will depend on the outcome of the administration's discussions with the bus operators.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Aug 12, 2026 22:30 IST