Transport dept cracks down on private bus fare hike

As the Sankranti travel rush gathers pace, passengers have complained that private travel operators on the Hyderabad–North Andhra route are charging steep fares. In response, the Transport Department has intensified enforcement and launched a helpline for reporting violations.

Thousands of people from North Andhra districts work or study in Hyderabad and return home during festivals. Train tickets to North Andhra often sell out soon after the reservation quota opens. Many travellers then depend on APSRTC/TSRTC buses or private operators for their journey.

Officials said that some private travel companies have taken advantage of festival demand to sharply raise ticket prices.

On regular days, private AC sleeper fares from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam range between Rs 1,300 and Rs 2,500. This Sankranti season, several services have doubled fares for travel between January 9 and 14.

Ticket listings showed fares between Rs 3,500 and Rs 5,924 on Sunday. On Monday, fares ranged from Rs 3,950 to Rs 6,050. Similar rates continued through the middle of the week.

Travellers typically head back to Hyderabad soon after the festival, which has increased demand on the Visakhapatnam–Hyderabad route. Passengers said fares for travel between January 16 and 20 ranged from Rs 3,250 to Rs 6,250.

In-charge DTC (RCH) Srinivas said the department has activated a control room helpline (9281607001) on the instructions of Transport Commissioner Manish Kumar Sinha.

He said private operators can charge only up to 50% above RTC fares. Passengers can report higher fares displayed online or any demand for extra money after boarding.

During a special drive at NAD Junction, officials penalised seven private buses for excess fare collection. They imposed fines totalling Rs 33,600 and registered cases against buses that violated permit and documentation norms.