Govt exp buses charge ultra deluxe fare on weekends

THE mofussil buses operated by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation's (TNSTC) Villupuram division have been charging higher fare on weekends by classifying them as ultra-deluxe (UD) services.

- B ANBUSELVAN

While the per km fare for express buses is 75 paise, it is ₹1 for ultra deluxe services. When express buses are operated as UD services, commuters end up paying 25% more for end-to-end travel. Short-distance travellers on deluxe buses are especially affected, as they have to pay higher fare.

For instance, a commuter who typically pays ₹25 to travel from Ambattur Estate to Kilambakkam on the Madhavaram Tiruvannamalai express bus is now charging 40 on weekends. This is because the express bus, categorised as a UD service, has only one stage (for ticketing purposes) between Madhavaram and Kilambakkam.