Soaring travel fares spoil Malayalis festive plans

Malayalis planning to travel to Kerala this summer are facing difficulties due to the heavy rush and high ticket fares in private buses, airlines and trains.

The waitlist has reached 100 on major trains heading to Kerala. 

The worst hit are Malayalis residing in Bengaluru. Between April 10-17, the sleeper class waitlist for Yeshwantpur-Kannur Express (16527) has exceeded 258. The waitlist is 149 for Bengaluru-Kannur Express (16511), and 146 for Chennai-Mangaluru Mail in sleeper class (12601).

In the case of those travelling between Mumbai and Kerala, the sleeping class waitlist in Netravadi Express is 99.

The same could be said about the Mangala Express from Delhi. Meanwhile, the railway hasn't yet announced any festive special trains in Kerala.

Travelers who rely on premium tatkals are sure to be disappointed. Families will have to pay more than three times the normal fare. 

Last Onam, the cost of sleeper classes in Kannur-Bengaluru Express was increased from Rs 370 to Rs 1,155. Similarly, the fare of the third AC ticket was increased from Rs 1000 to Rs 3,350.

Elsewhere, bus fares have also increased considerably. The passengers will have to spend nearly Rs 2,200 during festive seasons to travel in a Kannur-Bengaluru AC sleeper.

At the same time, the Bengaluru-Kozhikode trip increased from Rs 900 to Rs 2,990.

Instead of Rs 1,999, one has to pay up to Rs 4,000 for the Bengaluru-Kochi journey. Sleeper buses are charged separately according to berths.

Often, private bus companies halt online booking systems and revert to manual booking processes. This shift may be intended to impose unfair fees on passengers.

The ticket fares at Kannur airport are also very expensive, forcing many people to opt for other airports.

Many flights charge Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 more than those from Kozhikode and Kochi airports.

The ticket fare to Kannur, Kozhikode, and Cochin International Airports has increased by Rs 6000-10000 in comparison to the Onam season.