Onam Travel Costs Soar as Options Fall Short

Kerala residents working in Bengaluru, Chennai and other metropolitan hubs face mounting hurdles as transport options buckle under surging demand.

- HD Bureau

Ticket prices on private inter-state buses have escalated dramatically, while special services from both railways and state road transport bodies fall short of needs.

Private AC sleeper fares along key routes such as Bengaluru-Thiruvananthapuram now range from ₹3,300 to ₹4,500, compared with ₹1,400-₹1,950 during normal times. Semi-sleeper and non-AC fares have also climbed steeply, with Bengaluru-Kochi services reaching ₹3,200-₹3,600 instead of ₹1,300-₹1,600, and non-AC rising to ₹1,800-₹2,000 from ₹800-₹1,000.

Chennai to Kerala routes have seen AC sleeper fares hit ₹3,300-₹4,000 and non-AC around ₹1,700, up from previously modest levels. The steep growth—up to nearly 300 percent—is prompting widespread concerns.