From Rs 600 to Rs 1200: Private bus fares skyrocket as Mangaluru faces Nature’s wrath

Devotees traveling to the revered Kukke Subramanya and Dharmasthala temples are enduring significant hardships due to the closure of a critical train route. The disruption, caused by a landslide at Edakumeri in Sakleshpur, Hassan, has impacted nearly 14 trains, forcing travelers to rely on private buses. Consequently, bus operators have doubled their ticket prices, adding to the woes of the pilgrims.

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Incessant rains have wreaked havoc across Karnataka, triggering landslides and disrupting transportation. The closure of train services has particularly affected the route between Bengaluru and Mangaluru, a lifeline for many temple-goers and regular commuters. As a result, bus fares have skyrocketed. Ticket prices for non-AC buses, which previously ranged from Rs 500 to Rs 600, have surged to Rs 1000 to Rs 1200. AC bus fares have seen an even steeper hike, jumping from Rs 2000 to an astonishing Rs 4000.

The exorbitant bus fares have left many devotees in a difficult situation, as visiting these temples holds immense religious significance. The increased financial burden has prompted calls for intervention from authorities to regulate ticket prices and expedite the restoration of train services. Until then, travelers are left to grapple with the inflated costs and uncertainty in their pilgrimage plans.

The state government has yet to announce measures to address the issue, leaving thousands of devotees and daily commuters awaiting a resolution amidst the ongoing monsoon challenges.