Here’s Why Diwali Travel Gets Costly In Pune And Pimpri-Chinchwad As Private Bus Operators Exploit Festival Rush With Three Times Price Hike vs The Normal Fare

As the festival of Diwali approaches, the costs of traveling in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad rise considerably as private bus companies exploit the holiday travel market. Many people, with state buses, and trains fully booked, are compelled to use private bus lines for which the cost of traveling to the city is increased to 300%. Private bus lines, with fully booked state services, take advantage of the situation in an exploitative manner. Even though fare regulations state 1.5 the usual fare, most of the time the price increase is well above what is rational considering the demand.

With Diwali just around the corner, travelers from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad heading to their native towns for the festival have found themselves facing an unexpected hurdle: skyrocketing bus fares. As the holiday season causes a surge in travel demand, many passengers are now turning to private bus operators after the availability of seats on state-run buses and trains has already been exhausted.

In a bid to meet the overwhelming demand, private bus operators have dramatically increased their fares, taking advantage of the festive rush. Some operators have been found to charge up to three times the regular fare, putting significant financial strain on travelers who are already dealing with the high costs associated with Diwali travel.

The Demand Surge and Government Response

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has been quick to respond to the growing demand by deploying additional buses to accommodate more passengers. However, despite these efforts, all advance bookings for MSRTC buses and train services have been fully booked, leaving passengers with no choice but to seek alternatives in the form of private buses.

Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are home to a significant number of residents from regions such as Konkan, Marathwada, Khandesh, and Vidarbha. Many of these individuals have settled in the city for work or education, and as Diwali approaches, they head back to their hometowns to celebrate the festival with their families. This migration spike during Diwali increases travel demand, putting additional pressure on available transport services.

Private buses typically operate in areas such as Nigdi, Bhosari, Sangvi, Pimple Gurav, Nashik Phata, Moshi, Chikhali, and Dange Chowk, providing a crucial link for those looking to travel. However, with the government-run buses and trains fully booked, private bus operators are now in a position of monopoly, exploiting the situation by raising their fares drastically.

Price Hikes: An Unregulated Trend

According to regulations, private bus operators are permitted to charge a fare that is 1.5 times the normal rate of MSRTC buses. Yet, many private operators have disregarded these guidelines, opting to raise fares up to two or even three times the standard price. This surge in fares has led to a considerable financial burden on travelers, many of whom rely on affordable transportation options to reach their hometowns.

For example, a journey from Amravati that would typically cost Rs 1,100 on an MSRTC bus is now priced between Rs 2,200 and Rs 2,300 with a private operator. Similarly, travel from Akola, which would normally cost around Rs 850, has surged to between Rs 1,900 and Rs 2,000 on private buses. These inflated prices are being charged on several popular routes, including Nagpur, Latur, Solapur, Jalgaon, and Buldhana.

A Comparison of Fare Increases

To better understand the impact of the price hike, here is a comparison between MSRTC bus fares and private bus fares for various routes:

• Amravati:
  • MSRTC: Rs 1,100
  • Private: Rs 2,200–2,300
• Akola:
  • MSRTC: Rs 850
  • Private: Rs 1,900–2,000
• Latur:
  • MSRTC: Rs 580
  • Private: Rs 1,500–3,000
• Nagpur:
  • MSRTC: Rs 1,272
  • Private: Rs 2,800–3,000
• Solapur:
  • MSRTC: Rs 458
  • Private: Rs 1,000–1,200
• Buldhana:
  • MSRTC: Rs 670
  • Private: Rs 1,600–1,700

The stark contrast between the regular MSRTC fares and the inflated prices charged by private operators highlights the significant financial strain placed on passengers, particularly those traveling on a budget or with large families.

Measures Taken by Authorities

The rising fares have caught the attention of the Regional Transport Office (RTO), which has scheduled a meeting to address the issue. Authorities have made it clear that strict action will be taken against private operators found charging more than the regulated fare. As per a 2018 state government ruling, private bus operators can charge up to 1.5 times the MSRTC fare, but operators who exceed this limit face penalties and enforcement actions.

Despite the regulations, the lack of immediate enforcement has left passengers vulnerable to price exploitation. Many travelers are left with no option but to pay the inflated fares in order to reach their destinations in time for Diwali, while others are left stranded due to the scarcity of available seats.

While the state government’s decision to deploy additional buses and trains is a step in the right direction, the persistent issue of private bus operators exploiting high-demand periods remains a concern for travelers. As the holiday season continues, it’s important for authorities to step up enforcement of fare regulations to ensure that passengers are not financially exploited. The surge in travel demand, while expected during major festivals, should not come at the cost of passengers’ hard-earned money.

With the approach of Diwali, there is an upsurge in travel rates in the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad areas and there is an increase in the exploitation of the festival rush by private bus operators. This is seen in the increase of the charge on the scarce private buses which is going three times the normal and is noticeable with the state buses and trains getting fully booked.

During Diwali, for the bus passengers, there is the high expectation that festival bus charge increases will soon stop. This is sadly inevitable, leaving passengers with no recourse but to accept the exorbitant and unregulated increases in prices.

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