MALAPPURAM: Taking advantage of the heavy rush in trains from Bengaluru to Kerala due to Christmas and New Year, ticket prices have been hiked uncontrollably in inter-state private buses. From December 20, the ticket prices on Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode routes have been more than doubled. The ticket price for Bengaluru-Thiruvananthapuram AC sleeper ranges between Rs 3,650-4,000. Normal fare is Rs.1,600. The ticket price in AC Semi Sleeper has been hiked to up to Rs 3,500 from Rs 1,300.

The apparent increase in private buses is taking advantage of almost full reservation in KSRTC and Karnataka government buses. KSRTC runs 45 services including special and Karnataka runs 67 services. Tickets are not available in KSRTC on December 22 and 23. Only a few seats are available on 24th. KSRTC runs special service from December 20 to January 3.

Private buses

(Increased rate, normal rate in bracket)

Bengaluru- Kochi

AC Sleeper................... 3,350- 4,400 (1,400- 1,500)

AC Semi Sleeper............3,000- 3,200 (1,260- 1,200)

Bengaluru- Thiruvananthapuram

AC Sleeper........................4,000- 3,650 (1,600- 1,700)

AC Semi Sleeper........... 3,100- 3,500 (1,300- 1,500)

Bengaluru- Kozhikode

AC Sleeper........................2,800- 3,250 (1,000-1,250)

Semi Sleeper...................2,200- 2,800 (900-1,000)

KSRTC

Bengaluru- Thiruvananthapuram

AC Multi Axle.......... 1,491

Deluxe Airbus............. 900- 1,021

Swift AC Sleeper.............1,660

Bengaluru- Kozhikode

AC Multi Axle.......... 940

Deluxe Airbus............. 631- 711

Super Express...................566

Bengaluru - Kochi

AC Multi Axle........ 1,491

Deluxe................................ 784 -1,001

Karnataka RTC

Bengaluru - Thiruvananthapuram

Airavat........................ 1,882

Bengaluru- Kochi

AC Sleeper...................1,890- 2,010

Airavat........................ 1,494-1,508

Rajahamsa.......................... 927

Bengaluru- Kozhikode

AC Sleeper................... 1,318

Airavat........................1,022 -1,944

Rajahamsa........................ 1,277