The Roadways has made significant adjustments to its bus services to Ayodhya in response to low passenger numbers. This move aims to accommodate the convenience of devotees while ensuring operational efficiency. Initially launched in February, the direct bus service from the seven divisional headquarters of Rajasthan to Ayodhya has now been converted to a weekly schedule due to the lack of expected passengers. Notably, the service from Udaipur was shift to weekly two weeks ago.

Daily Service Details

From Jaipur, a daily AC sleeper bus departs for Ayodhya at 6:20 PM, providing an alternative travel option. Meanwhile, Udaipur operates a daily deluxe bus with a 3 by 2 seating arrangement. The new schedule includes a Saturday morning departure from Udaipur at 6:30 AM, arriving in Ayodhya the following day at 9:45 AM. Similarly, from Ayodhya, a daily departure at 4:35 PM arrives in Udaipur on Monday evening at 6:15 PM.

To facilitate devotees' travel, the Roadways initiated direct bus services from Udaipur, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Kota, Jodhpur, and Ajmer. However, despite efforts, passenger numbers remained insufficient. Consequently, the service was modified to operate on a weekly basis, with the Udaipur departure scheduled for every Saturday and return on Monday.

The fare for male passengers traveling from Udaipur to Ayodhya has been fixed at Rs 1,480/-, while female passengers pay Rs 1,201/-. Female travellers are eligible for a 50% discount, applicable only up to the Rajasthan border. Additionally, senior citizens are offered discounted fares.

The daily bus service to Ayodhya initially faced revenue challenges, with trips generating only Rs 35,000 to 40,000/-, resulting in a loss of Rs 14 to 15/- per kilometer. However, following the conversion to a weekly service, each trip now generates revenue ranging from Rs 50,000 to 60,000/-. Despite low passenger numbers during Holi, there is optimism for increased demand.