Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has announced special fare discounts and additional bus services for passengers travelling from Bengaluru to various destinations in Kerala ahead of the Onam festival and a series of holidays.
The measures are aimed at facilitating the travel of Kerala-origin residents living in Bengaluru who are expected to head home for Onam celebrations.
Under the special booking scheme, passengers making advance online reservations can avail discounts of up to 10%, depending on the type of booking.
Discounts for group and return bookings
KSRTC has introduced separate concessions for group and return-ticket bookings during the festive period.
Passengers booking seats for four or more people under a single ticket will receive a 5% discount on the basic fare.
Those planning a round trip can also benefit from a return-journey concession. Passengers booking both onward and return tickets together will receive a 10% discount on the fare of the return journey.
The discounts are intended to encourage passengers to reserve their seats in advance and help them plan their festival travel without depending on last-minute bookings.
With Onam attracting a large number of passengers travelling between Bengaluru and Kerala, advance reservations are expected to help KSRTC manage the anticipated increase in demand.
90 additional special buses
KSRTC will operate 90 additional special buses from Bengaluru to various destinations in Kerala between August 21 and 25.
The additional services are being introduced ahead of the Onam celebrations to accommodate passengers travelling from Bengaluru to their home districts and towns in Kerala.
The special services will connect Bengaluru with various destinations across Kerala, providing additional travel options during the peak festive period.
The corporation has also planned special services for the return journey.
Buses will operate from various parts of Kerala to Bengaluru on August 30, enabling passengers to return to the city after the festival and the associated holidays.
Services aimed at handling festive rush
Onam is one of Kerala’s major festivals and traditionally witnesses substantial movement of people between Kerala and other parts of the country.
Bengaluru, which has a large population of Malayali residents, generally sees increased demand for bus and other transport services during the festival season.
The additional KSRTC services are intended to ease the pressure on regular buses and provide more options for passengers who may otherwise struggle to secure seats during the busy travel period.
Passengers travelling with families or groups can particularly benefit from the group booking discount, while those planning their return journey in advance can use the combined-ticket offer.
Advance booking encouraged
KSRTC has advised passengers to make their reservations in advance to secure seats on their preferred services.
Tickets can be booked online through the corporation’s official booking and concession portal as well as its official website.
Passengers who prefer to make reservations in person can also purchase tickets at KSRTC counters at major locations in Kerala.
In Bengaluru, booking facilities will be available at key centres, including Majestic and Shanthinagar.
Advance booking can also help passengers avoid the inconvenience of depending on last-minute availability during the festive rush.
Return services on August 30
The special services from Kerala to Bengaluru on August 30 are intended to cater to passengers returning after the Onam celebrations.
The additional return buses will operate from various parts of Kerala, giving travellers more options after the festival.
Passengers are expected to plan their onward and return journeys carefully, particularly if they intend to make use of KSRTC’s 10% return-fare discount.
Festival travel expected to rise
The announcement comes at a time when demand for inter-state transport is expected to rise because of Onam and the accompanying holidays.
For Kerala-origin passengers residing in Bengaluru, the additional services provide an alternative to regular services, which could see increased occupancy during the festive period.
KSRTC’s special fare concessions also offer an incentive for passengers to book early instead of waiting until closer to the festival.
The corporation’s decision to operate additional services in both directions reflects the expected movement of passengers before and after Onam.
Passengers are advised to check the availability and schedule of their preferred service while making reservations, as timings and destinations may vary depending on operational requirements.
With 90 additional buses planned from Bengaluru to Kerala between August 21 and 25 and return services scheduled for August 30, KSRTC’s festive arrangements are expected to provide additional capacity during one of the year’s busiest travel periods.