Bengaluru-Mangaluru Bus Fares Surge After Landslide Halts Train Services

Devotees visiting the Kukke and Dharmasthala temples are facing hardship due to the closure of the train route, with private bus operators doubling their ticket prices.

Incessant rains have caused hill and landslide issues in many parts of Karnataka. Train services have been halted due to a landslide on the tracks at Edakumeri in Sakleshpur, Hassan, affecting nearly 14 trains. The bus ticket prices from Bengaluru to Mangaluru, previously ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 600, have surged to Rs 1000 to Rs 1200. AC bus fares have skyrocketed from Rs 2000 to Rs 4000.

This is not the first time private bus operators have exploited adverse situations faced by the public. During festivals and extended holidays, they also raise prices as they wish. Despite continuous public pleas for government intervention, these calls have so far gone unheeded.

The railway department had initiated special trains to manage the situation caused by road issues. However, the landslide at Edakumeri thwarted these efforts, leaving buses as the only option available.