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Every year, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates additional services during Ganesh Chaturthi, anticipating that there will be heavy rush. However, officials say that the demand for online tickets this year is less as compared to previous years. Incessant rains may force people of Bengal to abandon their plans to leave the city or depend on private vehicles to move out.
A KSRTC official said, “Usually a day or two before the festival we see an increase in the demand for online reservation of tickets. Last year it reached 20,000 but this time till Sunday we got 10,000 bookings. Heavy rains The city may force people to stay indoors and give up plans to go to their native places. This time Ganesh Chaturthi is in the middle of the week. People are usually looking for long weekends to go out – this There could be another reason.” There has also been no significant increase in the demand for buses operating on inter-state routes, the official said.
The corporation had planned to run an additional 500 buses to clear the crowd, but till Sunday, tickets were reserved for 40 buses on Monday and 67 on Tuesday. KSRTC charges 20% extra fare on additional buses. Additional buses operate on both intra-state and inter-state routes.
Minister warns of action
Transport Minister B. Sriramulu has warned of action against private bus operators charging exorbitant fares for ferrying passengers from Bengaluru to various destinations. In a series of tweets, the minister said, “It has come to my notice that private bus operators are charging hefty fare for passengers traveling to their native places. Bus operators should charge the fixed rate. If any more If found collecting rent, legal action will be taken against him.
However, there is no demand in the private sector as well. Natraj Sharma, a private bus operator, said, “The demand for travel has dropped significantly this year. The operators have not increased the fare. Passengers are being charged normal fare, but we do not see any increase in demand for online tickets. Rain cannot be the only reason; Those who have spent more than two years in their native places cannot visit this festive season. After the pandemic, people have gone through a financial crisis that can also result in them canceling travel plans or celebrating low-key celebrations. ,