The Sampadak Express News Desk
In Hyderabad, Deputy Leader of the BRS Legislature Party T. Harish Rao criticised the State government for levying what he called double fares in RTC buses during the Bathukamma and Dasara festive season, alleging that regular services were being curtailed and rebranded as “special” to charge higher prices, The Hindu reported on October 18, 2026.
Harish Rao cited specific routes to illustrate his charge, stating that the regular fare from Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) to Karimnagar was ₹230 but was now ₹400 under the “special” service label. He added that the fare from Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) to Mahabubnagar had increased from ₹220 to ₹290.
He contended that fares had been raised across routes and questioned how the government could justify what he described as collecting double fares for regular services merely by displaying “special” boards on buses. According to him, the move had dampened festive enthusiasm among travellers heading to their villages.
Harish Rao also contrasted the policy of free travel for women passengers with the higher charges he said were being imposed on their male family members. He further claimed that RTC fares had already been increased five times over the past three years.
Demanding a rollback, he urged the government to withdraw the fare hikes imposed “in the name of festival specials” and operate regular services instead.
