Bus ticket prices soar amid Deepavali season rush

Team Udayavani, Oct 18, 2024, 9:28 AM IST

Udupi: With Deepavali around the corner, most bus services from coastal Karnataka to Bengaluru, and vice versa, are already showing full bookings. For the few available seats, passengers are facing exorbitant fare hikes. Tickets for buses between October 29 and November 3 are sold out, with prices doubling in many cases.

Many passengers are now experiencing a price shock when attempting to book tickets. Even though some seats appear available, the prices displayed on booking websites jump significantly at the time of payment. Many are left worried if they will even get a seat after payment. As a result, people are starting to consider alternative options like trains or hiring cars.

Travel Rush

Deepavali is from October 30 to November 2, and most people are planning to travel home by the night of October 29. Some are even considering leaving earlier on October 26 (Saturday). Since there is a continuous holiday from October 31 to November 3, many have made plans to return to their hometowns.

Fare Fluctuations

Ticket prices on booking websites vary greatly. For example, a ticket from Udupi to Bengaluru might initially show Rs 1,000, but after selecting a seat, the price jumps by Rs 300-400. Including various taxes, the fare can go up to Rs 1,600. As Diwali approaches, this price is expected to rise further, possibly reaching Rs 3,500-4,000.

High Fares

In private buses, fares range from Rs 1,500 to Rs 4,000. On regular days, the ticket price usually ranges from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000, but the sudden price hike has forced many to plan their trips earlier. This price surge will continue from October 30 to November 3. Some private bus operators are also considering adding extra buses to meet demand.

Turning to Cars

Many travelers, especially friends and students, moving from Bengaluru to coastal towns are now opting to rent cars, which cost about Rs 1,200 per day. Meanwhile, taxis are charging between Rs 11,000 and Rs 13,000 for trips from Bengaluru to Udupi.

No Set Ticket Prices

“Since these buses operate under contract carriage licenses, there is no set fare regulation by the RTO. Although fare hikes due to demand are not permitted, there is no official limit on prices. If passengers lodge complaints, the issue will be investigated,” said L.P. Nayak, District Regional Transport Officer, Udupi.