Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 2: With the Navratri festival approaching, private bus ticket prices have skyrocketed, doubling in some cases. Travellers heading to Mangaluru from distant places for the festivities are likely to feel the pinch. The fare from Bengaluru to Mangaluru on private buses has reached as high as Rs 3,500.

Hike in ticket prices during festivals is a regular occurrence. Previously, ticket prices were raised during the Gauri-Ganesh festival, and now, the trend continues for Navratri. The weekend rush has also contributed to the increase in prices, as more people are traveling from Bengaluru to various destinations. Some private buses have already raised their fares from October 10, and these inflated prices are expected to persist until the festival concludes.

Mangaluru Dasara typically attracts visitors from afar, especially to witness the celebrations at Kudroli Sri Gokarnatheshwara Temple, which will be held from October 3 to 14. The grand Sharada Mata procession is scheduled for October 13. With October 12 being a second Saturday and October 13 falling on a Sunday, many travellers are expected to start their journeys on October 11. Capitalizing on this, private bus operators have tripled their fares.

From October 11, private bus fares from Bengaluru to Mangaluru have hit Rs 3,500. Similarly, fares from Mangaluru to Mysuru stand at Rs 1,200, Ballari at Rs 950, Bagalkot at Rs 1,500, Koppal at Rs 2,600, and Vijayapura at Rs 1,500. With a few days still remaining before the festival, further increases in bus ticket prices are anticipated. However, KSRTC has not announced any fare hikes yet, although additional buses during festival times generally operate at higher-than-usual rates.

In comparison to bus fares, air ticket prices have seen only a slight rise during Navratri. Flights from Bengaluru to Mangaluru, which usually cost Rs 2,999, have increased to Rs 3,239 for October 11. Meanwhile, train fares have remained unchanged, though most tickets are already sold out, with many travellers on waiting lists.