Private bus fares in Gujarat triple ahead of Diwali festival
Travel costs for routes from Ahmedabad and Surat to Saurashtra have risen significantly due to increased festival demand.
Private bus fares from Ahmedabad and Surat to Saurashtra have increased sharply ahead of Diwali, according to a report by Urban Acres. Tickets that typically cost between ₹400 and ₹500 are reportedly reaching ₹1,200 to ₹1,500, while double-sofa bookings have risen to ₹2,800 to ₹3,000.
A Divya Bhaskar investigation found that operators in Ahmedabad’s Satellite area were quoting higher fares for buses to Rajkot and other Saurashtra destinations. Staff at travel offices told the publication that fares could rise further when the Diwali vacation begins on November 4 and 5.
In Surat, a reporter posing as a customer was quoted ₹1,500 for a single ticket to Amreli, with double-sofa bookings at ₹3,000. Private operators attributed the higher prices to festival demand and limited seat availability.
The increased costs are significantly higher than some public transport options. For the Ahmedabad-Rajkot route, Vande Bharat train fares are ₹810 for chair car and ₹1,505 for executive chair car, while Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation fares are ₹562 for a Volvo bus and ₹332 for a sleeper bus.
The price hike is affecting diamond workers and other lower- and middle-income passengers. Former legislator Dhiru Gajera and the Diamond Workers’ Union have previously raised concerns about high festival fares, though no concrete administrative action has been taken so far.
Travel-office staff indicated that fares are expected to remain elevated through the Diwali rush and will return to normal after the festival period, including Labh Pancham.