With Onam just a week away, travelers are facing a significant increase in transportation costs as both KSRTC and private bus operators raise fares substantially.
Exorbitant Fare Hikes
- Private Buses: The ticket prices on popular routes such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, and Thrissur have more than doubled. For instance:
- Bengaluru-Thiruvananthapuram AC Sleeper: Increased from ₹1,500-1,600 to ₹3,500-4,000.
- AC Semi-Sleeper: Hiked to ₹3,500 from ₹1,300.
- KSRTC: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has also raised fares for its services, effective from September 11 to Uthradam Day:
- Garuda Bus (Bengaluru to Ernakulam): Fare increased by ₹500 to ₹1,651.
- Non-AC Super Deluxe Special: Price up by ₹300.
- Karnataka RTC: Similarly, Bengaluru-Kochi Airavat bus fares have risen by ₹800.
Service Issues and Complaints
- Service Interruptions: Reports indicate that some private buses are cutting services midway, causing inconvenience to travelers, particularly those from Chennai and Bengaluru.
- Full Bookings: Ticket availability is scarce, with no tickets left for dates between September 10 and 15 for both KSRTC and private services.
Railways’ Response
- Special Trains: To ease the travel burden, the Railways has introduced 10 special trains connecting various cities in Kerala, including Shoranur, Kannur, Kollam, and Kochuveli. However, the Bengaluru route has only one special train available until September 15.
With transportation costs soaring and limited availability, travelers are advised to plan their journeys well in advance and explore alternative options where possible.
Source : english.mathrubhumi.com
