THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSRTC is all set to increase ticket prices on festival days. The rate hike will come into effect for Onam in the first phase. Ticket prices will be increased by up to 30 percent on festival days. The fare hike will be implemented only on buses from express to super fast.

There will be a five percent increase in the fare of single birth tickets. The rate hike will be implemented in the months of August, September and October. The ticket price will be reduced on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, which are not festive days. These days the rate difference can be up to 15 percent.

The information about KSRTC's fare increase comes after the news that Railways is going to give 25 percent discount on ticket fares for trains including Vande Bharat. Concession will be given in AC Chair Car and Executive Class. Officials informed that the new fare will be applicable for trains including Vande Bharat and will be implemented soon.

The concession will be given only in trains where fifty percent of seats are vacant during a month. Tickets already booked are non-refundable. This discount is not available on special trains like holiday/festival specials.

25 percent discount will be available on the base price of the ticket only. Reservation charge, superfast surcharge, GST etc. needs to be paid separately. Meanwhile, Kerala may not get this exemption. The reason for this is that currently there are enough passengers in trains including Vande Bharat in Kerala. Kerala currently has the highest passenger volume of Vande Bharat service in the country.