The Hyderabad-Vijayawada private bus fare has soared so much for the Sankranti festival season that it has almost equalled the airfare on the same route. A single A/C sleeper bus ticket was sold for a staggering Rs.3,000 which is just Rs.200 less than the regular airfare. Not to be left behind, the airfare has also been hiked with the ticket now costing Rs.4,800 if booked a day in advance.

The tickets booked on any private bus from various cities in Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada seems to be the most-favoured destination. Fares for buses leaving Vijayawada for different destinations are, however, only half this fare, although double or 50 per cent more than the usual fare. In fact, the APSRTC has officially increased the fares on all categories by 50 per cent for the 4,500 Festival Specials for five days from Saturday even sleeper and sitting accommodation in buses running between Bangalore and Vijayawada were also available for Rs.1,400 to Rs.3,099.

In the occasion of Pongal holidays the people had to shell out Rs.1,000 for a normal A/C Volvo seat in private bus, the regular fare for which was Rs.400. Some private operators made a killing on bookings for Friday and Saturday.

This bus fare hike is indeed burdensome for people who have more family members but needs to travel during this festival time.

(AW:Samrat Biswas)