Private bus fares soar as holidays approach

BENGALURU: As the Dasara festival approaches, private bus operators in Bengaluru have hiked ticket prices, taking advantage of the huge demand. Buses plying to various cities in Karnataka, including Hubballi, Belagavi, Gadag, Mangaluru, Udupi, Bidar, Raichur and Kalaburagi have jacked up fares, hitting those heading home for the festival.

Every time a festival approaches, private bus operators increase ticket prices, burdening passengers. With the Dasara festival and consecutive holidays, the number of travellers from Bengaluru to various cities in Karnataka has surged.

As Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami fall on Wednesday and Thursday, many people, including IT professionals, are planning long breaks from Tueday until Monday. Taking advantage of this, some private bus operators have doubled their ticket prices, while others have increased them by 50 per cent.

The operators claim that the price hike is due to the peak season and that they have only increased prices by 10 per cent. However, passengers are finding it difficult to afford the high prices. The ticket prices have increased by 50 pc to 100 pc compared to normal rates, they said.

Bengaluru to Hubballi: Rs 900- Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500- Rs 2,000

Bengaluru to Belagavi: Rs 1,500- Rs, 1600 to Rs 1,900- Rs 2,000

Bengaluru to Gadag: Rs 1,100- Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,600- Rs 1,700

Bengaluru to Mangaluru: Rs 1,300-Rs 1,400 to Rs 1,900- Rs 2,300

Bengaluru to Udupi: Rs 1,500-Rs 1,700 to Rs 2,000-Rs 2,300

Bengaluru to Bidar: Rs 1,700- Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,000-Rs 2,500

Bengaluru to Raichur: Rs 1,000- Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,600

Bengaluru to Gulbarga: Rs 1,700-Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,000-Rs 2,300

Passengers are finding it difficult to travel due to the high ticket prices, with some expressing frustration over the sudden hike. Private bus operators claim that the price increase is due to the peak season, but passengers feel that the hike is excessive.

Samad, a travel agent, said, “This is a chance to get business as there are government holidays. People are going to their hometowns and families are planning vacations. The fares have been increased by about Rs 200 to Rs 300. The bus owners incurred a loss during the off-season and they have increased fares by 1 pc per seat. They are not burdening passengers as about 90 percent of the business is running through online now”.

A passenger said, “I was planning to go from Bengaluru to Talikote. We came for seat booking, but seats are not available even for Rs 1,400. They are creating demand and not even a single seat is available. The fares have been increased by about Rs 300 to 400 increased per person. KSRTC buses are full due to the state government’s free bus facility, and there are no seats for men either. Now I am struggling to get a seat in a bus”.