Hyderabad: Passengers returning to the city after the Dussehra festival are paying steep fares on RTC buses and private vehicles alike. Return journeys began at midnight on Tuesday, but the burden of high charges has not eased. Passengers voiced concern over the travel expenses.
The government collected an additional 50 per cent on fares during the festival rush. Some families postponed their journeys for fear of those charges. Now those who travelled home are facing heavy costs to get back.
The RTC is running more than 2,000 of the 3,200 buses across its 26 city depots as Dussehra specials. Special boards have been put up on these buses, and double fares apply. Commuters in the city have faced a bus shortage for the past five days. Only city services are running from Hanmakonda, Bhadrachalam, Nizamabad, Mancherial, Karimnagar and other districts, and commuters say moving city buses to the districts has caused problems.
Passengers say the regular bus ticket from Bhadrachalam to the city costs Rs 550. They allege the special service charges more than Rs 1,100. Some travellers said the return trip for a family of four crossed Rs 4,000. Others alleged that free travel is not provided on some special buses.
App-based rides cost more than Rs 100 for two kilometres
The bus shortage has pushed many city commuters towards Ola, Uber, Rapido and other app-based services. Commuters say these services charge more than Rs 100 for a two-kilometre ride.
Private vehicles, cabs and travel agents are charging no less than the RTC, passengers said. They reported fares of more than Rs 700 per person from Hanmakonda to Hyderabad. Many travellers had to join work on Wednesday, so trips to the city surged from midnight on Tuesday. Cabs are making the most of the demand.
Bus stands and railway stations are crowded, and private vehicles are also proving costly. Passengers have waited for hours for buses, and some fear they will have to travel standing.