Deepavali travel chaos: Tamil Nadu omni bus fares skyrocket amidst festive surge

Chennai: With the Deepavali travel rush in full swing, omnibus operators across Tamil Nadu have sharply increased fares, leaving passengers with little choice but to pay steep rates for their festive journeys.

Despite repeated warnings from the State Transport Department against overcharging, ticket prices on key routes from Chennai to southern and western districts have nearly doubled. On several private booking platforms, one-way tickets for Chennai–Madurai services are listed at up to Rs 4,500, while fares for Chennai–Tiruchy and Chennai–Coimbatore routes have surged to around Rs 3,500 and Rs 3,000 respectively, well above normal levels.

According to the fare structure agreed between the state government and the Omnibus Associations in 2022, approved one-way rates range between Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,980 for Chennai–Tiruchy, Rs 1,930 and Rs 3,070 for Chennai–Madurai, and Rs 1,730 and Rs 2,880 for Chennai–Coimbatore. However, between October 17 and 23, fares for both inbound and outbound travel have escalated significantly as passengers rush to secure holiday tickets.

The shortage of direct services to certain destinations has worsened the situation, particularly for travellers heading to Tiruchy and smaller towns en route to southern districts. Many buses are routed via Madurai or Tirunelveli, forcing passengers on intermediate routes to pay higher fares calculated for longer distances.

Operators have attributed the surge in fares to rising operational costs, including fuel and maintenance expenses, and have requested a revision of the 2022 fare chart. The Owners Association maintains that the current chart specifies maximum rates, with any disputes to be raised through its grievance redressal mechanism.

Meanwhile, Transport Department officials have launched statewide enforcement drives at major checkpoints, including toll plazas and city entry points such as Madurai, Tiruchy, and Coimbatore. Special monitoring teams are tasked with ensuring fare compliance and adherence to safety norms.

Transport Minister SS Sivasankar confirmed that multiple cases of overcharging have already been reported. Associations have been instructed to immediately reduce fares to the approved limits, with strict action, including permit suspension and penalties, threatened for violators, as the state seeks to keep festive travel both affordable and safe.

IANS