Maharashtra State Bus Fares To Rise By 13.5 Percent From Saturday

The State Transport Authority (STA) in Mumbai approved a proposal on Friday to increase state-run bus fares across Maharashtra by an average of 13.5%. The revised fare structure is set to take effect starting Saturday, directly impacting millions of daily commuters who rely on the state's extensive public transport network for their travel.

According to transport officials, the fare hike was proposed by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to offset its mounting operational costs. These rising expenses have been driven primarily by the recent increase in diesel prices and a corresponding rise in the dearness allowance paid to the corporation's employees.

Under the newly approved fare structure, the minimum fare for a basic six-kilometre journey will increase from Rs 13 to Rs 15. However, commuters using the premium air-conditioned Shivneri bus services will see no change in their travel costs, as these specific buses have been excluded from the fare hike.

This latest fare revision marks the second major price hike for the state-run transport body within a single year. Last year, the MSRTC increased its fares by nearly 15%. Officials noted that in previous years, annual fare revisions for the corporation were typically much lower, usually limited to around 4% to 5% annually.

MSRTC officials explained that the revised fare structure is essential to manage the corporation's growing expenditures and to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the public transport undertaking.

The price hike also coincides with an ongoing, broader modernization phase within the MSRTC. The public transport corporation has been actively investing in several initiatives to upgrade its services. These efforts include expanding its current bus fleet, improving overall passenger amenities, digitizing various services, and enhancing operational efficiency across Maharashtra.