Manipal: “There was a time when one could go to Bangalore for Rs 150 but today the prices have increased so much that many middle class families have to give second thoughts about the means of transport,” says Subbaraja, a localite.
While KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) has the same fares, reason being the fact that it comes under the public sector, all the other private bus lines of Karnataka have increased their fares considerably.
The main reason stated behind this is the recent hike in petrol and diesel prices. Also the inflation rate stands at an all time high of 7.4%. The new price per litre is Rs 52.67 as compared to the old one which was Rs 49. “Fuel prices keep rising every now and then without warning, but one can’t hike bus fares simultaneously,” complains an angry customer.
Though the hike in fuel prices still remains the main reason, there are other reasons too. The number of private bus lines has increased over the past few years and have options like Non AC seater/ sleeper, AC seater/sleeper.
With increased comfort, space and additional services like provision of blankets and mineral water bottles, buses are trying their best to provide luxury travel to customers who can afford it. “There is competition in every sector so to move ahead we are making the necessary changes,” says Rangayya, a driver of the bus line ‘Durgamba’ which has hiked the price for AC sleeper buses from Rs 520 to Rs 570.
The approximate price hike has been between the range of Rs35- Rs50 uniformly for almost all the bus lines like Vishal Tourists, Durgamba, Manjunatha and so on.
“Increasing the price to this extent will lower their business, besides the brighter side being that the train between Manipal-Bangalore is fully functional, so localites and students will definitely prefer that for at least there is a range of prices, with the lowest being around Rs 120 and going up to Rs 500,” says Monica Hariharan, student of MIC and a frequent traveller.
“The number of travellers has definitely decreased in the past few months, whatever the reason may be,” informs the ticket seller at Tiger Circle who wishes to remain anonymous.
Sub-edited by Ruchika Sharma |
