Sankranti Bus Fare Hike Sparks Passenger Complaints

With the Sankranti harvest festival approaching on January 14, private bus operators in Andhra Pradesh have been exploiting the festive rush by charging steep fares, leaving passengers frustrated and out of pocket. Travel to northern Andhra Pradesh cities, including Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam, has become significantly more expensive from Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Chennai, and other regions due to overwhelming demand.

Passengers travelling from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam are reportedly paying between ₹3,000 and ₹5,000 for one-way AC tickets, compared to the regular fare of around ₹2,000 during non-peak periods. Similar fare surges have been observed on the Hyderabad–Vijayawada and Vijayawada–Visakhapatnam routes. Many passengers have expressed anger over what they describe as “unfair and exploitative pricing” during the three-day festival.

The Andhra Pradesh road transport department, particularly in Vizag city, has intensified inspections and launched strict action against private operators found violating fare regulations. Over the past two days, 11 bus operators were booked for offences including charging exorbitant fares, transporting goods without proper permits, and breaching operational rules. Fines totaling ₹33,600 were imposed.

Officials emphasized that private operators are legally allowed to increase fares only up to 50% above the APSRTC rates. Teams have been actively monitoring online booking platforms to prevent overcharging and to ensure that passengers are not exploited during the festival.

A transport department official said, “We are tracking prices on online booking platforms and will take action against operators who indulge in unfair practices. Passengers should not be looted during Sankranti or any festive season.”

Authorities have also urged passengers to report any violations through helplines or local transport offices. The department’s increased vigilance aims to strike a balance between accommodating high seasonal demand and protecting commuters from being overcharged.

With Sankranti being one of the busiest travel periods in Andhra Pradesh, transport officials have reiterated that fair pricing and compliance with regulatory norms are essential to ensuring safe and affordable travel for all passengers.