Extended weekend: Pvt buses ready to make a killing

With the long weekend round the corner, private buses are preparing to have a field day by fleecing those trying to get out of the city.

Private bus operators have hiked fares following the increase in demand as many people are planning on a tour or a trip home during the extended weekend from Saturday to Tuesday.

The fares of air conditioned buses, including sleeper and non-sleeper, as well as non-AC ones have more than doubled on some routes.

“More than 3,000 private buses leave Bengaluru for destinations inside and outside Karnataka. Bus operators usually engage in cut-throat competition to get passengers. But the long weekend means everyone raises their fares,” the owner of a private bus agency said.

He noted that there are days when private operators are rendered helpless due to lack of demand. “Sometimes, we have to cancel the trip as demand drops. Now, booking for days between August 12 and 16 has increased. We won’t be able to meet the demand even if we hire buses,” he said.

Rakesh Patil, who works for a private company, said, “Usually, the fares of private buses are less than that of government buses to Belagavi. But whenever there is a long weekend or extended holiday period, private buses charge double,” he said.

The extended holiday has also led to booking of all tickets on trains leaving Bengaluru. It is far more difficult to book seats on trains compared to buses.
Passengers wait for months to get a seat on trains, which are more comfortable and affordable than buses.

“There are more than 200 people in the waiting list of almost all the trains. Unlike normal circumstances, not many in those lists get a seat as hardly anyone drops out during these kind of occasions,” a railway official said.