Mumbai: Private Passenger Bus Operators Hike Fare For Trips To Konkan During Rush Time For Ganeshotsav

Mumbai, 25th August 2022: Due to the non-availability of reservations for railway trains and STs, many people will have to opt for private passenger buses to go to Konkan during the occasion of the Ganeshotsav. However, passengers have to pay a high fare to travel by these private buses. Air-conditioned buses from Mumbai, Thane to Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg are charging between Rs 2,200 and Rs 2,500 for the sleeper category. As no other option is available, many people will have to choose these buses to reach Konkan.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many people could not go to Konkan for Ganeshotsav in 2020. Even in 2021, due to Covid restrictions, the number of people who went to Konkan on the occasion of Ganeshotsav was less. This time, the number of covid patients is less, and the restrictions have also been removed. Therefore, it is estimated that the number of people going to Konkan by railway, ST, as well as personal vehicles, will be high.

On the occasion of Ganeshotsav, trains going to Konkan from 27th August are crowded while 3,000 ST buses have also received a good response. Now, as railway and ST reservation is not available, many people have chosen the option of private passenger buses to visit Konkan.

Usually, bus travel becomes expensive during the Ganeshotsav period. Air-conditioned sleeper buses running from Mumbai to Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg from August 27 are charging Rs 2,200 to Rs 2,500 per passenger, while the current rate is Rs 1,500. On the same route, a ticket of Rs 500 per passenger is being charged currently for buses with non-air-conditioned seats. However, the ticket price has increased from Rs 700 to Rs 800 during the Ganeshotsav period.

Bus travel to Chiplun, Kankavali, Sawantwadi, Nagpur, Kolhapur, and other places became expensive during the Ganeshotsav period. Action is taken through the transport department against the private passenger bus operators who charge more than the fare fixed by the government during rush hour. However, the transport department has not yet decided in this regard.