Pune: Long-distance interstate bus operators are reporting an uptick in bookings from Pune, with airfares on some routes reaching Rs 23,000-30,000 in the run-up to Diwali and prices expected to remain elevated even after the festive season.Travellers unable to secure train tickets or afford expensive flights are increasingly turning to buses to reach their hometowns, despite longer journeys, rising fares and concerns about travel fatigue.A representative of Delhi-based Safar Express, which operates sleeper buses between Pune and Delhi, said bookings are brisk. “The daily bus leaves Pune at 8am and reaches Delhi around 6pm the next day. The fare is currently Rs 6,700 for a single sleeper and Rs 6,200 for a shared sleeper. Bookings have been good, and fares are expected to rise further as Diwali approaches,” the representative told TOI.Nirbhay Pandit, a Khadki resident who works for a private company, said he was unable to secure train tickets to Delhi and could not afford the airfare. “The last time I checked, the round-trip airfare was Rs 38,000. Getting a train seat during Diwali is almost impossible. I have decided to travel by bus despite my family’s reservations. The journey will be long and tedious, but I need to be home for the festival,” he said.Operators serving destinations in Madhya Pradesh and southern India have also reported healthy bookings. A representative of Sachin Tours, which operates buses from Pune to Indore, Ujjain, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, said bookings were better than expected compared with last year.“Fares to Indore and Ujjain are usually around Rs 1,700 but have risen to Rs 3,500 during Diwali. We expect another increase, though it will not be as steep as the hike in airfares. Buses remain a viable option for many despite the longer journey,” the representative said.An official of Indore-based Raj Ratan Tours and Travels said demand was picking up, with buses leaving Pune every evening. A bus departing from Sangamwadi at 5pm reaches Indore around 7am the next day. Volvo fares currently stand at around Rs 7,300, and the operator expects bookings to increase further.Satendra Jatav, who works for a private company in Kharadi, has booked a regular bus to Indore for Nov 5. He plans to continue his journey to Chhindwara from there.“A non-stop flight from Pune to Bhopal costs Rs 17,800 one-way, while one-stop flights cost Rs 24,000-28,000. Fares were high last year too, but not this high. Trains are out of reach, so bus is our only option. We are three people travelling and hope the journey goes smoothly,” he said.The surge in demand is also evident on the Uttar Pradesh route. A representative of Bhaiya Travels, which operates buses to Prayagraj, said fares had risen to Rs 7,000 from the usual Rs 3,000. The bus leaves Sangamwadi at 10.30am and reaches Prayagraj around 11.30am the following day. The operator said bookings had increased this year, although the reasons for the rise were unclear.For Mundhwa resident Manohar Sharma, travelling to Prayagraj has become both expensive and difficult. “There is no direct flight. A one-way journey with a stopover costs Rs 33,000, while a round trip is Rs 55,000. Trains are full, leaving me with little choice but to consider a bus. However, I have back pain, and sitting for so many hours could be difficult,” he said.Travellers heading to Bihar are facing similar challenges. Yatish Kumar, a Kondhwa resident who works at a bank, said he was struggling to find a way to reach Patna. Despite the Railways introducing a special train to Danapur, he was unable to secure a ticket and was unwilling to travel in an unreserved coach.“One-way airfare is around Rs 14,500. If nothing else works, I may take a bus to a nearby destination and continue from there. I could not find a direct bus from Pune to Patna,” he said.“The recent increase in fuel surcharge by various airlines has placed an additional financial burden on air travellers during the peak festive season. For instance, a family of four travelling between Pune and Delhi would incur an additional cost of Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 one-way,” said Mehboob Shaikh, Chairman, TAAI Central and South Maharashtra Chapter.“On international routes such as Pune-Dubai, the additional cost could rise to Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per passenger for a round trip. Such steep increases put considerable pressure on the budgets of ordinary travellers. Many passengers opt for air travel to save time, particularly during festivals, when securing confirmed train tickets remains a challenge. The higher surcharge, therefore, undermines the appeal of air travel as a faster and more convenient option,” he said.“There is also considerable uncertainty over the future movement of fuel price, with rates potentially softening or rising further in the coming days. Ultimately, the impact will be felt by both individual travellers and corporate houses,” he added.
