KSRTC to introduce dynamic pricing

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is introducing a dynamic fare system for buses plying between Bengaluru and Pune, Mumbai, Shirdi and Panaji on trial basis for three months on the lines of airline companies.

KSRTC is operating premium services on high density routes. These services, KSRTC officials say, are facing stiff competition from the services provided by the private operators. Of late, private operators are varying their fares based on peak/slack traffic days and seat occupancy.  So, like the airlines, the KSRTC has decided to introduce dynamic (gradient) fare structure on a trial basis for three months.

How it works?

According to the dynamic fare system, for advance booking through anywhere anytime advanced reservation system (AWATAR), fare will be charged based on vacant seats, and booking duration. Passengers booking tickets well in advance can get a discount of upto 20%. For walk-in passengers, the fare slab will be the same as the last ticket booked in AWATAR booking.

For example, if the last ticket is booked at 80% of the cost of the ticket, the same fare slab will be fixed for all walk-in passengers. This scheme will be implemented for 24 services, in Airavat Club Class, Airavat Diamond Class and AC Sleeper classes, on Bengaluru to Pune, Mumbai, Shirdi and Panaji routes. There will be no changes in return journey discount and group booking discount.

This fare structure will be reviewed based on passenger traffic and the feedback. Passengers are requested to send their feedback to awatar@ksrtc.org.