Hyderabad | Airport Pushpak bus ticket costs up to ₹100 more, TGSRTC quietly hikes fare

Travelling to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) on Hyderabad outskirts aboard the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation’s (TGSRTC) Pushpak buses has become more expensive, with the State-run transport undertaking quietly increasing one-way fares by up to ₹100. The revised fares came into effect from June 13 and it was communicated to RGIA.

Speaking to The Hindu, M Rajashekhar, executive director, Greater Hyderabad Zone (GHZ), TGSRTC, confirmed the development. “The fares were fixed more than 10 years ago. They had remained the same since then. The overall occupancy ratio is between 60 and 70%, which is low,” he said. Mr. Rajashekhar added that the hike was not linked to the recent fare increase for buses operating on toll routes.

Only around 20% occupancy ratio

Officials explained that the occupancy ratio (OR) was particularly low on trips to the airport, around 20%, while return journeys from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) saw a much higher OR of nearly 80%.

Several Pushpak services connect Hyderabad to RGIA, including those from Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) via Sangeet, Tarnaka, Uppal Crossroads, and Pahadisharif; from Secunderabad via Paradise, Nampally, Afzalgunj, Bahadurpura, Aramghar, and Shamshabad; and from Miyapur via Hyder Nagar, Pragathi Nagar, JNTU, Forum Mall, Malaysian Township, Shilparamam (HITEC City), Mindspace, and Gachibowli. Services are operated from depots including Cantonment and Miyapur-2.

Hike draws criticism

The sudden hike drew criticism from commuters, who pointed out that a trip costing ₹250 now costs ₹350. “So you guys went ahead and increased the airport bus fare by 40% at one go,” a passenger posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Expensive for those traveling in twos, threes, or in groups

Others, including a bus enthusiast, and urban planner, questioned the hike’s impact on accessibility. “As the network is small, people have to use a cab or auto for the last mile. This hike will make things difficult. The other thing is that taking the Pushpak will prove expensive for those travelling in twos, threes, or in groups,” a bus enthusiast observed.

This is another instance of the TGSRTC increasing fare. Only recently, the transport juggernaut enhanced bus pass rates by a substantial sum. This move drew flak from students, and student unions, including the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation, which demanded an immediate withdrawal.