Due to four days continuous holidays, the fares in private omni buses on many sectors have hit the roof. The fares have even increased three-fold to many popular destinations from Coimbatore on September 28 and October 2.
Friday being the holiday for Ayudha Puja, and Monday Gandhi Jayanthi many outstation workers are going to their native places, and some have planned to visit tourist destinations resulting in a surge in passenger traffic. As trains to Chennai, Bengaluru, and Nagercoil are running at full capacity on September 28 and October 2, the only option left is to rely on private omni bus service.
Southern Railway has not announced any special trains.
An agent told The Hindu that many passengers book tickets through them instead of online.
Those who book tickets online choose high-end operators who offers even pick and drop facilities.
Those who make last-minute travel plans are fleeced by those who operate spare buses to make quick money.
The following are the maximum fares quoted by a few operators: Coimbatore-Chennai on October 2 and Chennai-Coimbatore on September 28 ₹ 2,800 and the minimum fare was ₹ 900; Coimbatore-Nagercoil on September 28 and Nagercoil-Coimbatore on October 2 is ₹ 1699 and the minimum fare is ₹800.
The maximum fare for Bengaluru-Coimbatore is ₹ 2999 on September 28.
Advance reservations for popular destinations from Coimbatore have been closed by SETC ten days ago, sources here said. The SETC operates 37 services in Coimbatore-Chennai sector, and 13 services in the Coimbatore-Bengaluru sector every day. A top official said that based on the requirement, special buses would be operated on September 28 and October 2.
Advance reservations for almost all the trains towards Chennai and Bengaluru have reached Regret status. Passengers expect the railways to operate special trains.
President of the Coimbatore Omni Bus Owners and Travels Association Asha Stephen said that about 180 buses were being operated to Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and various destinations in Kerala daily. During festival season, the fleet strength would go up to 250.
The association denied fleecing of passengers. Rates vary according to the type of vehicle, and facilities provided. The minimum/maximum fare for Chennai, Bengaluru, and Nagercoil from Coimbatore is ₹800/₹1,800 from September 26.
Ms. Asha Stephen said that they have no control over online booking portals. The association was ready to run services if the government fixes a fair fare, she added.
The Road Transport Authority has formed 15 teams in Coimbatore zone (comprising Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, and Tirupur) to prevent omni bus operators from charging higher fare during festival season.
“The teams will inspect offices of omni bus operators and travel agencies to curb fleecing during festival season. The action is taken based on the directive by the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court last year restraining private bus operators from collecting higher fare during festival season,” said P. Muruganandam, Joint Transport Commissioner.
He said that passengers can report their grievances related to fare to Road Transport Authority at the toll free number 1800 425 6151.
(With inputs from Wilson Thomas)
