In the realm of budget-savvy travel, some passengers in Guwahati have discovered an alternative way to travel cheap.
At the ISBT ticket counters, a journey from Guwahati to Jorhat comes with a price of ₹600 for AC buses and ₹500 for non-AC buses.
But, a lot of passengers travel smart at a cheaper rate. Smart travellers don't buy the ticket from ISBT or any other authorised ticket booking counters.
The eastern end of the Khanapara flyover has become a hotspot for smart travellers who are opting for more affordable bus tickets.
A growing number of passengers are choosing a different route to cut down on their travel costs.
The strategy is simple yet effective – bypass the authorized ticket booking counters and head to the eastern end of the Khanapara flyover. Here, travellers patiently wait for buses that have vacant seats, and most importantly, fares that are negotiable.
GPlus, in a recent survey, delved into this trend and uncovered the money-saving tactics adopted by these smart travellers.
When engaging with bus conductors at the Khanapara location, it was found that the fare for AC buses, originally priced at ₹600, was often negotiated down to a more budget-friendly ₹500.
Speaking to GPlus, Gitartha Tamuli, a frequent traveller said, "I have found this to be a cost-effective way to travel. By waiting at Khanapara, I often manage to secure a seat on AC buses at a reduced fare. It's a win-win situation for passengers who want to save some money."
The option is also lucrative for the bus drivers and conductors because the money collected from the hop-in passengers from Khanapara doesn’t reach the owners.
Another traveller in Khanapara seeking anonymity said, "I travel from here in case of emergencies because this not only saves my time but also energy instead of going to ISBT counters."
Talking to GPlus, Raghav Baruah, a frequent traveller from Guwahati to Tezpur said, "I travel without a ticket from Khanapara to Tezpur. When I board the bus, conductors inquire if I have booked online and if not, they negotiate the fare directly with passengers like me. Surprisingly, we don't receive physical tickets, but we are aware that we can travel on the bus without them."
The willingness of bus conductors to engage in fare negotiation highlights the informal yet prevalent practice at this location.
Passengers have embraced this trend, and it has become a part of their travel routine. The eastern end of the Khanapara flyover, once overlooked, has now become a strategic stop for those in the know.
While this approach might not be everyone's cup of tea, for those who are open to some spontaneity and are keen on securing more budget-friendly travel options, Khanapara has become a go-to spot.
As the trend continues to grow, it poses an interesting challenge for conventional ticketing systems, prompting a reconsideration of pricing strategies and the overall passenger experience.