Now Reading: Pune-Diwal bus fares double, students hit hardest
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Pune-Diwal bus fares double, students hit hardest
The Story in Brief
A student from Akurdi said a Pune-to-Degloor sleeper bus ticket that normally costs Rs 900 is being sold for around Rs 2,200 for travel on November 5. Several students said they depend on parents for expenses and find the surge unaffordable.
On the Pune-Latur route, a non-AC sleeper ticket that usually costs Rs 700 and an AC sleeper at around Rs 900 are now going for Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,200 or more. A Pune resident studying in Bengaluru said one-way flights cost Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 and trains are full, so she will take a bus that now costs Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,000, up from the usual Rs 2,000.
Regional Transport Officer Archana Gaikwad has warned that action will be taken against operators who exceed the government-prescribed limits under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Fares must not exceed 1.5 times MSRTC rates. A special enforcement drive will run until November 20. Passengers can report overcharging on WhatsApp at 8275330209.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The surge hits students and young professionals who have no alternative to buses because trains are full and flights are too costly. The RTO has capped fares at 1.5 times MSRTC rates and announced an enforcement drive until November 20, but travellers report tickets already sold at two to three times the normal price. Whether the enforcement mechanism works and whether passengers actually use the WhatsApp number will determine if the cap has any effect.
Source: indianexpress.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
