As the Easter holidays draw near, travelers in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh are feeling the pinch of skyrocketing bus fares, especially on high-demand inter-state routes such as Bengaluru–Kochi and Hyderabad–Thiruvananthapuram. Private bus operators have significantly hiked prices, with AC sleeper fares from Bengaluru to Kochi doubling from ₹1,500 to as high as ₹3,000–₹3,300. Shockingly, some bus fares have even overtaken flight ticket prices for the same routes.
This surge means a round-trip for a family of four could cost nearly ₹28,000 just in bus travel. Meanwhile, train tickets have been sold out for weeks, and limited additional services haven’t eased the pressure.
Amid rising public complaints, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has launched a crackdown on overcharging, urging passengers to report inflated fares via WhatsApp. Offending operators could face permit cancellations.
Adding to the burden, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has officially increased fares by up to 16.5% on routes to Karnataka, following a similar move by Karnataka’s transport authority. Both ordinary and luxury services are affected, prompting calls for urgent regulation as holiday travelers scramble for affordable options.
