KSRTC Adds 165 Special Buses for Independence Day Long Weekend Rush

KSRTC deploys 165 special buses with a 20% fare hike to meet Independence Day long weekend travel demand across key routes.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has announced the operation of 165 special buses to handle the surge in passenger demand ahead of the Independence Day long weekend. These services are aimed at easing congestion on high-demand routes where tickets have already sold out online.

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Why the Extra Buses?

With the mid-week holiday creating an extended break for many, bus bookings have surged significantly. A KSRTC spokesperson explained that this spike is driven by opportunistic travel plans rather than routine demand. “These are not organic travellers; they’re booking trips just because they have a long weekend off,” she noted.

Unlike the Varamahalakshmi weekend earlier this month, when bookings were relatively muted due to the festival, this Independence Day week has seen a sharp increase in reservations, particularly for departures on the night of August 14.

Where the Buses Will Run

The special buses will operate on several high-traffic intercity routes, including:

• Mangaluru
• Kundapura
• Puducherry
• Davanagere
• Thrissur
• Trichy
• Ballari
• Chikkamagaluru
• Hosapete
• And more destinations across Karnataka and neighbouring states

To manage the surge, KSRTC has implemented a 20% fare hike on these special services.

Private Operators Also Respond With Fare Hikes

Private bus operators have similarly raised fares for August 14 departures:

• Bengaluru–Chennai: From ₹1,000–₹1,300 to ₹2,359
• Bengaluru–Goa: From ₹1,600–₹2,000 to ₹4,000
• Bengaluru–Puducherry: From ₹1,000–₹1,800 to ₹2,100
• Bengaluru–Mangaluru: From ₹700–₹1,300 to ₹2,000

The sharp increase in ticket prices has led some travellers to either postpone or bring forward their travel plans.

International and Domestic Tourism Trends

The holiday period has also spurred international travel from Bengaluru. Travel agencies reported a 15–20% rise in bookings this month, thanks to the back-to-back long weekends.

Interestingly, international airfares have remained relatively stable despite the spike in demand.

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How This Helps Passengers

The deployment of these special buses is expected to:

• Offer more travel options on fully booked routes
• Reduce passenger reliance on high-priced private services
• Improve last-mile connectivity for festival and holiday travellers
• Ensure greater accessibility to key destinations during the peak travel window

By combining increased capacity with strategic route deployment, KSRTC aims to accommodate as many passengers as possible, ensuring smoother travel during one of the busiest weekends of the year.