Bus tickets go the air fare way

Post 2000, Indian airline travellers used to book tickets well in advance to take advantage of low price, they still do. Now it is the turn of bus travellers as well. The trend of scaling up price of remaining seats has caught on with bus operators.

HSC Bose, president, AP Private Bus Operators Association says, “Usually tickets are sold at a higher price for a few days during festivals such as Diwali, Christmas and Sankranti but in the last six months, a new trend has started. If one purchases tickets a day before the journey one may have to pay even 50% extra depending on the number of seats available.”

Travel agents say the reason for the new trend is due to the seizure of buses recently and restrictions imposed on bus operators. Shafi of Shameem Travels says, “Small time bus operators used to load luggage on top of buses, now it is not possible. Secondly, bus operators want to make quick money during peak season.”

T Sunil of Orange Tours and Travels says, “Ticket booking has been hit severely. During weekdays, the occupancy is low so bus operators started hiking prices.”

With train tickets being sold out, people who are unable to plan their trips in advance are paying twice the amount. Mohit, a software employee says, “A ticket to Panaji costs Rs 1,200 but last month I paid Rs 1,800 to Panaji as I booked the ticket on the day of the journey. This never was the case before.”

Train fares are cheaper in comparison but are sold out quickly.

In spite of the introduction of special trains, the demand for tickets is high. Bus operators are looking to make money during the festive season.

Sohail, a travel agent says, “The bus ticket rates would keep scaling up from December 20-31.”

Most favoured destinations for New Year are Mumbai and Goa. The normal rates during the year to Mumbai in AC Volvo buses range between 1,200 and in non-AC it is Rs 750 but in the last week of December, the prices rise by more than 50 per cent.

An AC sleeper seat would touch Rs 2,500. The price to Panaji can go up to Rs 2,500 by year-end, say travel agents. The major players in the market are Orange Tours and Travels, Kesineni, HKB, Neeta, Omer, Jabbar Travels and others.