Private schools in Hyderabad have increased school transportation fees by 25-30 per cent for the new academic year, citing rising diesel prices and escalating operational costs, leaving parents grappling with another financial burden.
Fee Structure: The Numbers
Most private schools in the city have hiked transport charges from ₹2,000 per month to ₹4,000 per month, with some schools implementing increases ranging between ₹500 and ₹800 per child monthly.
For families with two children, the additional monthly expenditure amounts to ₹1,000-₹1,600, translating to ₹12,000-₹19,200 annually just for school transport.
School Managements’ Stance
School administrators attribute the increase to a combination of factors affecting operational costs:
- Diesel prices have surged 18-25 per cent since January 2025
- Vehicle purchase costs have increased significantly
- Driver salaries have been revised to match market rates
- Maintenance expenses including spare parts, tyres, and batteries have risen
- Government taxes for fitness certificate renewals have escalated
- Penalties of ₹50 per day imposed on vehicles missing fitness tests
“We are helpless,” said one school administrator. “Even when buses were not running during lockdowns, the state collected taxes and imposed penalties.”
Transport Fee Hike Post-COVID
According to the Hyderabad Schools Parents Association (HSPA), transportation charges increased by 40 per cent after the COVID-19 pandemic, climbing from ₹30,000-₹35,000 per academic year to ₹50,000.
The joint secretary of HSPA, K Venkat, confirmed that schools are facing genuine financial pressures due to rising operational costs.
Slab System May Return
From June, Hyderabad could see the reinstatement of the slab system for transport charges, which could make fees even more unpredictable for parents.
“They are looting us every year by increasing the fees,” one parent said, expressing frustration over the annual fee hikes.
Broader Impact on City Transport
The fuel price surge is affecting Hyderabad’s entire transport ecosystem:
| Transport Mode | Fare Increase |
|---|---|
| TGSRTC bus passes | 20 per cent (June 2025) |
| Student pass (12km) | ₹300 → ₹450 |
| Auto LPG prices | ₹30 per kg increase |
| Metro ordinary pass | ₹1,150 → ₹1,400 |
| Metro deluxe pass | ₹1,450 → ₹1,800 |
Comparison with Other Cities
Transport fee increases across major Indian cities for 2025:
| City | Average Fee Increase | Top Parent Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi NCR | ₹700 | Lack of transparency |
| Mumbai | ₹850 | No alternate transport |
| Bengaluru | ₹650 | Increased travel time |
| Chennai | ₹600 | Carpool demand rising |
| Hyderabad | ₹500 | Partial services, route cuts |
Parents’ Response
The fee hike has prompted several changes among Hyderabad parents:
✓ Carpooling demand is rising among neighbourhood families
✓ Some families are cutting routes, forcing children to switch schools
✓ Travel time has increased due to longer pickup routes
✓ Certain families are reconsidering private school enrollment entirely
Political Debate
The Congress government in Telangana defended the 20 per cent TGSRTC fare hike, while the BRS opposition criticised it as increasing public burden. Now private schools are implementing similar increases, raising questions about accountability.
Timeline for Implementation
- June 2026: New academic year begins
- First week of June: Most schools implement fee hike
- End of June: Slab system may be reinstated
What Parents Can Do
Parents are advised to take the following steps:
✓ Join parent carpool groups to share costs with neighbours
✓ Demand transparency in fuel cost breakdown from school management
✓ Contact Hyderabad Schools Parents Association for support
✓ Consider alternative schools with lower transport fees
✓ Document and report unrealistic fee increases to authorities
