Omni buses’ ticket fares increase as Deepavali nears

CHENNAI: In view of Deepavali, fares for omnibuses have increased manifold, and ticket booking for buses for 3 days -- October 21, 22, and 23 is almost full with only a few seats available in some buses, according to a Maalaimalar report.

1,000 omnibuses will be operated from Chennai to several parts of Tamil Nadu for the festival.

The fare for buses from Chennai to Tirunelveli is Rs 3,000, to Madurai, Coimbatore - Rs 2,500, and to Tiruchy from Rs 1,500 to 2,000.

Some omnibuses to Tirunelveli have a fare of Rs 3,500. Passengers are reported to be shocked by the fares and some parties are demanding to regularise the fares.

"4000 buses were operated before Covid. Now it has reduced to one-third," said association general secretary A Anbazhagan.

Earlier, the State government planned to operate special buses from Chennai from October 21 to October 23 and for passengers returning from October 25 to October 27. Special buses are to be operated from six different places- Madhavaram, KK Nagar MTC bus terminus, Tambaram MEPZ Anna bus stand, Tambaram railway station bus stand, Poonnamallee bus stand, and Koyambedu bus terminus.