Pune-Nagpur private bus fares hit Rs 9,000 ahead of Diwali, may cross Rs 11,000

Travelling from Pune to Nagpur for Diwali is proving very costly this year. With nearly a fortnight still to go for the festival, private bus operators are alleged to be charging up to Rs 9,000 for a one-way journey. Travel agents have warned that, with demand set to rise further, fares could cross Rs 11,000 as the festival draws closer.

The usual one-way fare is Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,800, so current rates are up to 400 per cent higher. Thousands of people from Vidarbha who live in Pune for work and studies are preparing to return home for the festival, and concern is being voiced about passengers being fleeced.

Last year was similar. A ticket of about Rs 1,500 is said to have gone up to Rs 5,000 in the festival rush, and fares reached Rs 11,000 on the last day. With rates already high this year, the question of how effectively the fare cap on private inter-city buses is enforced has come up again.

According to data on online ticketing platforms, operators have sharply increased the number of vehicles. For Pune to Nagpur, about 177 buses are listed for November 4, 204 for November 5, 220 for November 6 and 170 for November 7. Normally there are about 100 to 160 buses run by 40 to 69 operators. Buses leave from 5 am to 11.30 pm, with the most departures in the evening.

Despite the added buses, fares have not become affordable. On Tuesday's listing, a premium Volvo ticket was Rs 8,999, while regular services were priced at Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,750. Another Volvo service showed a fare of Rs 7,321. AC sleeper fares were Rs 2,100 to Rs 3,500, and premium Volvo and Mercedes services Rs 2,600 to Rs 5,500.

Those driving themselves fare no better. During last Diwali, bad roads and traffic jams stretched a journey of about nine hours to nearly 15 hours. Those taking the Samruddhi Expressway were also delayed, with a trip of 11 to 15 hours reportedly taking 13 to 18 hours. Roads have reportedly improved on some stretches this year, but festival-time congestion remains a worry.

For those travelling by private car, the combined fuel and toll cost was about Rs 6,500 last year and could rise to Rs 8,000 to Rs 9,000 this year. Inter-city cab rates have also gone up. A vehicle that cost Rs 10,000 to Rs 11,000 last year now quotes Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 for Pune to Nagpur.

With buses and cabs costlier, more people are turning to ride-sharing. On BlaBlaCar, fares are about Rs 2,000 from Pune City to Nagpur Urban, Rs 1,800 on the Pune-Nagpur route and Rs 1,930 from Hinjewadi to Nagpur. The trip takes 10 to 15 hours depending on route and traffic. About 66 per cent of listed rides are reported to be booked already, and seats on peak dates are running out within hours.

Enforcement of private bus fare rules in Maharashtra is back in discussion. Under state guidelines cited for the festival, private inter-city bus operators cannot charge more than 1.5 times the fare of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC, ST) for the same type of service and route. Maximum rates range from Rs 69.30 to Rs 169.86 per kilometre depending on bus type.

Last October, Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) are said to have issued instructions to operators and announced an email address and WhatsApp number for complaints with proof of overcharging. Flying squads were also reported to have been deployed to check booking counters and bus stops. Even so, passengers are paying steep fares during the rush.

Meanwhile, MSRTC has decided against a fare hike for Diwali and will run extra buses between Nagpur and Pune, including Chinchwad, from October 29 to November 7. From Nagpur to Pune, buses will run at roughly hourly intervals between 9 am and 2 pm. One bus is scheduled on November 2, four on November 3, six daily from November 4 to 6, and five on November 7.

From Pune to Nagpur, extra buses will run at intervals of about 30 minutes between 5.30 pm and 8.30 pm. There is one bus on November 3, four on November 4, six daily on November 5 and 6, and five on November 7. Extra buses to Vidarbha are also planned from Swargate, Shivajinagar, Pune Station and Pimpri-Chinchwad, covering Nagpur-Mahur, Gondia, Gadchiroli and Rajura routes. Officials have indicated more buses may be added if demand rises. Ticket availability and booking are available on the MSRTC website npublic.msr-tcors.com or its mobile app.

For the thousands travelling between Pune and Nagpur, the issue is no longer just one of convenience. It is a test of whether the rules can protect passengers from overcharging when demand is highest. Without effective enforcement and adequate public transport, the annual rush home risks becoming a chance for operators to charge whatever the market will bear.