“Some bus companies are exploiting the fans, quoting quite ridiculous prices,” he said.

“I’ve advised a few clubs to go to bus companies in Aberdeen and Hamilton, and treat these prices with the contempt they deserve.

“They are discouraging people from booking buses — I wonder if there’s a hidden agenda here and they don’t want to take football supporters. It’s not just one or two, but a lot of companies across the board.

“Some are keeping their prices reasonable, but one company in Coupar Angus was asking for £600 for a 49-seater bus from Dundee to Glasgow.

“A bus from Aberdeen was costing £550 and even that was still undercutting some operators locally.

“A lot of people are taking their families and football’s already too expensive without being further exploited.

“It’s always the man in the street who’s exploited at the end of the day.

“Fans have got tickets and are desperate to get through to Hampden and they (coach operators) know they will pay the prices.

“Once they have got their tickets, they (coach operators) have almost got a captive audience.”

The Tangerines sold out their initial 14,000 batch in double quick time and that led to the SFL forwarding another 3200 tickets for the Hampden showdown against Rangers. Railway works have exacerbated the clamour for seats on fans’ buses heading through.

“The situation has changed dramatically since previous cup finals in the late 80s when we used to go away and book 40 corporation buses,” added Mr Falconer.

“But things have changed since privatisation.

“Fans might be struggling to get places on buses unless they regularly go to away games.”

Federation committee member Joe Duncan believes up to 100 buses will be leaving Dundee on Sunday.

“It’s not going to be easy to get to Hampden because a lot (of bus companies) have put their prices up,” he said.

“I go with Wee Jim’s TA and most of the clubs are running three or four buses.

“But there is still a lot of people looking for places — public transport is not a good idea because of railway works so people will end up having to take their cars.

“I think there will be up to 100 buses leaving Dundee.

“Some are hiring buses from Glenrothes, Aberdeen and Hamilton to get to Hampden.”

Jim Cosgrove of Fishers Tours in Dundee said one of the reasons bus operators could be increasing prices is they are having to bring in coaches from elsewhere because their own fleet is booked up.

“We’ve got 15 buses going down to the final,” he said.

“It seems to be a busy day all round. Our 49 and 53-seater coaches are £400 and £500 for a 70-seater, which is just a little difference between what we’re usually charging.

“Some companies might have to be putting up their prices if they’ve had to get buses from elsewhere — it could cost £200 extra to add on the cost of coming from Aberdeen.”