Although GSRTC fares are still lower than those charged by private operators, the difference has considerably narrowed. And the little extra that the passengers have to pay to private operators is worth it: push-back comfortable seats, video films and mineral water to slake their thirst during the journey. GSRTC buses, in spite of the increased fares, continue to be old, rickety and overcrowded.

While the owners of private coaches charge Rs 41 for the Ahmedabad-Baroda route, the GSRTC bus fare is Rs 33. For the Ahmedabad-Surat route, the fare charged by the owners of private coaches is Rs 80, only four rupees more than the GSRTC charges. For the Ahmedabad-Bhavnagar route, the private operators charge 70, only Rs five more than GSRTC. Forthe Ahmedabad-Rajkot route, private coaches charge Rs 80 and GSRTC Rs 68.

Nandlal Kalra, owner of the Srinath Travels, said, ``Ever since the GSRTC hiked its bus fares, our clientale has gone up by 20 per cent.'' Kalra points out the facilities which private operators provide as their strength againt GSRTC. Besides, ``we book seats on telephone'', he said.

Pawan Trivedi of Pawan Travels also points out that people travelling by private coaches do not have to contend with the rush at the booking counters, as is the case with the GSRTC bus stations. ``And the quality of service we provide is much better,'' he said.

GSRTC Transportation Superintendent Jaihind Desai admits that more people were now travelling by private buses, but attributes the phenomenon to the festival season rush. ``The real picture will emerge only after the Kartiki Purnima,'' Desai said.

But the passengers are categorical. Says Manoj Rajpuria, while waiting for a Bhavnagar-bound private coach outside a travel agency office at Paldi:``I have to pay only Rs 5 more, but the journey is comfortable, which I cannot expect from GSRTC.''

His fellow passenger Dayaram Kukreja says the private operators had also increased fares by Rs 10, but still the difference wasn't so much if one looked at the facilities they provided. On the other hand, GSRTC buses were overcrowded, had uncomfortable seats and their drivers rude, he said.