Summer vacation rush: Private bus firms in Pune hike fares by 15 to 20%
Passengers planning to travel during summer holidays are irked with exorbitant fares
To cash in on the summer vacation, private luxury buses have increased their fares by 15 to 20 per cent.
Passengers planning to travel during summer holidays are irked with exorbitant fares of private bus operators as compared to the charges during regular days and reservations being full for the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses.
“Every year during the summer vacations there is a heavy rush of commuters across the city to travel to various places across the state and outside state. So, we increase fares according to the norms of the state transport department. The summer rush has started from May 1 and will reach peak during mid-May. Our bus fares have been increased by 15 to 20 per cent, but it will not affect commuters who book tickets online. The commuters who visit our counters or at the time of departure are mostly the ones who pay the hiked fares,” said Balasaheb Khedekar, president, Pune district private bus owners association.
The bus stands in Pune, Swargate, Shivajinagar and Pune railway station ply 5,000 buses on a daily basis.
Passengers does not seem to be impressed by the fare hike and demand safe and fast journey. Santosh Kenjale who hails from Nagpur said, “Since our leaves are not fixed, we rely on these buses to visit our hometowns last minute. State transport (ST) and private buses take the same travel time. However, the conditions of ST buses are pathetic. I do not mind paying extra as long as the bus reaches on time and is in good condition.”
Another passenger Pritesh Reddy said, “I often travel to my sister’s place in Bengaluru and this time for summers I will be going there. As I reside in Pimpri, I need to travel to Nigdi in order to catch a bus. If more pick-up points were made available by private buses I would not mind paying extra fare.”
Increased ticket prices
Latur - Rs 500 (Rs 650 to 700)
Beed - Rs 500 (Rs 650 to 700)
Nanded - Rs 700 (Rs 850 to Rs 900)
Kolhapur - Rs 400 (Rs 550 to 600)
Chandrapur - Rs 1,200 (Rs 1,350 - 1,400)