MALAPPURAM: Interstate private buses have hiked their ticket prices to more than double the regular rates to rip off Malayalees coming home for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Private buses are charging more than double the normal fare for bus tickets from December 21st to the 24th, from Bengaluru and Chennai to Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.
The fare will increase again as the date and time of the journey closes in. Train tickets running out early have been used as a golden opportunity by private bus owners. Bengaluru - Thiruvananthapuram AC sleeper costs Rs 3,600 - 4,500. It was Rs 1,400-1,950 earlier. An AC semi-sleeper priced at Rs 900 is Rs 2,200 now.
Meanwhile, KSRTC has also increased the ticket price by 50 percent under the guise of flexi fare. The AC multi-axle fare has been increased from Rs 1,350 to Rs 2,220 on Bengaluru-Thiruvananthapuram route. The fare of Volvo AC sleeper has been increased from Rs 1,700 to Rs 2,591.
Route ..........
Current Rate........Normal rate
Bengaluru-Kozhikode
Bengaluru-Kochi
Bengaluru-Thiruvananthapuram
Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram
Chennai-Kochi