Bengaluru: Private bus operators have delivered a harsh blow to people planning to travel to their hometowns or on trips during the consecutive holidays for Ugadi and Ramzan. Capitalizing on the festive demand, private transport companies have hiked bus fares by 2 to 3 times.

Ticket prices, which are usually affordable on regular days, are now rivaling airfares. Consequently, many middle-class citizens are feeling that "it’s better not to go anywhere than to pay these rates."

Fare Chart for Major Routes (Comparison):

The following table shows the drastic increase in private bus fares:

Route | Normal Fare (Approx.) | Current Peak Fare

| Bengaluru - Mangaluru | ₹600 | ₹2,999

| Bengaluru - Hubballi/Dharwad | ₹400 - ₹1,300 | ₹4,500

| Bengaluru - Shivamogga | ₹400 | ₹2,799

| Bengaluru - Dharmasthala | ₹500 | ₹3,600

| Bengaluru - Mysuru | ₹350 | ₹2,500

Festive Season Extortion?

Hiking prices during festivals has become a routine practice for private bus owners. Fares for buses traveling from Bengaluru to major cities like Mangaluru, Hubballi, Belagavi, and Shivamogga have now reached astronomical levels. Since the holidays coincide with the weekend this time, the heat of the price hike is being felt even more severely.

"Traveling home with family during festivals has become a difficult task. If we pay 3-4 thousand rupees for a single ticket, how are we supposed to manage other festival expenses?" lamented several passengers. The public is now demanding that the Government and the Transport Department take strict action against such illegal fare hikes.