If you’re a regular commuter in Maharashtra, you might want to start budgeting a little extra for your bus rides. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has just announced a 14.95% fare hike that will come into effect this Saturday.
According to senior MSRTC officials, the increase in fares is necessary to cover rising operational costs, including expenses for machinery and equipment. The last time the corporation raised fares was back in 2021, so this adjustment has been a long time coming.
With a fleet of 15,000 buses serving around 55 lakh passengers daily, the MSRTC plays a crucial role in Maharashtra’s public transportation system. Despite monthly losses of around ₹90 crore, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has assured that concessions for senior citizens and women, who currently enjoy a 50% discount on tickets, will be maintained.
If you’re wondering how much your bus fare might go up, here are some examples: an e-Shivneri bus ride from Swargate depot in Pune to Dadar in Mumbai, currently priced at ₹535, could soon cost ₹615. Similarly, a semi-luxury Shivshahi bus trip from Swargate to Solapur might see its fare increase from ₹555 to ₹638.
The MSRTC is currently in the process of finalizing the new fare rates, which will be officially announced once they are ready. This fare hike comes at a crucial time for the corporation, which has been facing financial challenges due to the pandemic and a prolonged strike that led to losses exceeding ₹4,000 crore.
However, there is a silver lining – last August, the MSRTC reported a profit of ₹16.86 crore, the first in nine years. This fare increase is aimed at helping the corporation recover financially while ensuring that essential services continue to be provided to the millions of commuters who rely on MSRTC buses every day.
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