Thiruvananthapuram: With not many trains available on convenient days, interstate buses have pushed up their fares between major cities and Thiruvananthapuram for Onam festival. The one-way fare for travel for Onam from Chennai and Bengaluru and other metros have increased by up to Rs 4,000 for travel a day before the festival on Aug 24.The fare for travel to Thiruvananthapuram is in the range of Rs 2,700 to 5,000 from Chennai and Bengaluru. The fare is Rs 4000-5000 from Hyderbad to Thiruvananthapuram on the two private buses thats available on that day.Frequent travelers say that private buses increase the fares as per the demand for the festival from the metros because trains and flights are not available at convenient time and fare on the eve of the festival.As most of the people who travel from the metros are those who work in private companies they do not have the luxury to travel earlier than usual to their home towns.This means that those who can make travel plans at the last minute have to spend a lot of money to take buses to reach home for the festival.C Philip, who works in Bengaluru, said: “I can make travel plans only a day or two before the festival because its not possible to take long leaves. He has been spending 10,000 for his family to travel to Thiruvananthapuram every season during the holidays with family by bus.Though, the railways had introduced specials but many of the trains are not convenient. This has led to an increase in fares.The flight fares are also too high for people to plan trips in the last minute.
