As New Year celebrations approach, travelers heading to Goa from Mumbai are grappling with skyrocketing transport costs. Air-conditioned sleeper bus fares on the popular Mumbai-Goa route have surged to nearly Rs 2,700, adding to the financial strain on common people.
Despite the steep hike, nearly 75% of bus seats are already booked for travel between December 28 and December 31.
Speaking anonymously, a bus operator explained, “During this period, Mumbai-Goa traffic is largely one-way. Most buses returning from Goa are almost empty as people prefer celebrating New Year there.”
Goa continues to dominate as the most sought-after destination for year-end celebrations. A city travel agent highlighted that Goa is the top choice for many, followed by other destinations like Daman, Silvassa, Lonavala-Khandala, and Mahabaleshwar.
The situation is no better for train and flight travelers. According to sources, popular trains like Jan Shatabdi Express, Konkan Kanya Express, Tejas Express, and Vande Bharat Express are fully booked until December 29. Meanwhile, airfares between Mumbai and Goa have surged, ranging from Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000 for travel on December 29 and 30.
Over 1,500 private buses are currently operating from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to major cities in Maharashtra and neighboring states. A member of the Bus Owners Association reported that 75% of bus seats for travel until December 30 have already been booked.
Kalyan resident Samir Kamble (35) expressed his frustration, saying, “We couldn’t get confirmed train tickets. Travel agents are demanding Rs 2,600 to Rs 2,700 for bus tickets on December 29. We’re hoping the Railways will announce more special trains.”
