Passengers traveling in Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses will soon face a fare hike, as the proposal to increase ticket prices by 14.95% has been approved. This long-pending fare revision, discussed since before the assembly elections, was cleared during a meeting chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department. However, the exact implementation date has not yet been announced.
The MSRTC’s revised plan also includes purchasing 5,000 new buses, setting up 20 charging stations in the first four months, and converting 125 buses to CNG. Initially, an 18% fare hike was proposed but was reduced to 14.95% and approved after being on hold during the elections.
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In addition to the bus fare hike, a INR 3 increase in the minimum fare for rickshaws and taxis in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region is set to come into effect soon, pending meter recalibrations and other technical adjustments.
Passengers have expressed concerns about the fare hikes, especially regarding rickshaw and taxi services. They highlighted frequent issues like drivers refusing short-distance rides and causing traffic jams near railway and metro stations. Many believe that improving passenger service should be prioritised before increasing fares.
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