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.
Going by 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. 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. The private operators followed suit jacking up the fares from Hyderabad to various destinations in the State and from originating points in neighbouring States to Vijayawada and Hyderabad. Sleeper and sitting accommodation in buses running between Bangalore and Vijayawada were also available for Rs.1,400 to Rs.3,099. Fares were lower for buses with Hyderabad as destination though with an increase of 40 to 50 per cent.
Several schools and colleges were closed for Pongal holidays from Friday which prompted some private operators and RTC to run service from Hyderabad and Vijayawada to various destinations. 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.
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Rates on Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam route, were however, less expensive with tickets costing between Rs.1,000 and Rs.2,000.