Transportation chaos: Voters grapple with election fare spikes

Bengaluru/Kundapur: Private bus operators have sparked outrage by hiking fares ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and during the subsequent days, leaving commuters dismayed as they travel to cast their votes.

Residents traveling from distant cities like Bengaluru and Mysore to their hometowns for voting face the brunt of the fare hikes. With several holidays coinciding with the election period, many have planned extended trips, adding to the demand for transportation services. Seizing this opportunity, private bus operators have abruptly raised ticket prices.

The fares have surged significantly, with tickets from Bengaluru to Mangaluru, Udupi, and Kundapur seeing a fourfold increase. While the usual fare stands at Rs. 800, it skyrocketed to Rs. 2,600 on April 25. Similarly, tickets of April 28 have also witnessed a steep rise, ranging from Rs. 1,900 to Rs. 2,450.

In contrast, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) officials assure that their ticket prices remain unchanged. Additional buses have been deployed to accommodate the surge in passengers during the election period, with about 50 extra buses allocated for Udupi and Mangaluru.

Political parties have also arranged transportation for voters from Bengaluru to various coastal assembly constituencies.

The Election Commission has been informed about the fare hikes, prompting action from the Transport Department. Udupi District Collector Vidya Kumari has assured efforts to secure additional buses through KSRTC to mitigate the inconvenience faced by voters.

Transport Department Commissioner Yogeesh AM has acknowledged the issue and plans to convene a special meeting to address the matter and enforce appropriate measures.