Passengers across Maharashtra will soon have to pay more for bus rides, as the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has approved a 14.95% fare hike.
The decision was made during a meeting on Thursday (January 23), chaired by the additional chief secretary of the Transport Department, with the new fares taking effect at midnight on Friday.
MSRTC, which operates a fleet of 15,000 buses and serves around 55 lakh passengers daily, explained that the fare increase was necessary to offset rising operational costs.
Originally, an 18% fare increase was proposed, but after delays due to elections, the hike was reduced to 14.95% and approved. The new fares will apply to all MSRTC bus routes, impacting both local commuters and long-distance travellers.
In a related development, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) has also approved fare hikes for auto-rickshaws, taxis, and AC cool cabs.
Starting February 1, the minimum fare for auto-rickshaws will rise from Rs 23 to Rs 26, while taxi fares will increase from Rs 28 to Rs 31. The base fare for AC cool cabs will go up from Rs 40 to Rs 48 for the first 1.5 km.
Many auto-rickshaw and taxi users feel the increases are unfair, particularly given the ongoing issues of drivers refusing short-distance rides and causing traffic congestion near metro and railway stations.
The decision was made during a meeting on Thursday (January 23), chaired by the additional chief secretary of the Transport Department, with the new fares taking effect at midnight on Friday.
MSRTC, which operates a fleet of 15,000 buses and serves around 55 lakh passengers daily, explained that the fare increase was necessary to offset rising operational costs.
Originally, an 18% fare increase was proposed, but after delays due to elections, the hike was reduced to 14.95% and approved. The new fares will apply to all MSRTC bus routes, impacting both local commuters and long-distance travellers.
In a related development, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) has also approved fare hikes for auto-rickshaws, taxis, and AC cool cabs.
Starting February 1, the minimum fare for auto-rickshaws will rise from Rs 23 to Rs 26, while taxi fares will increase from Rs 28 to Rs 31. The base fare for AC cool cabs will go up from Rs 40 to Rs 48 for the first 1.5 km.
Many auto-rickshaw and taxi users feel the increases are unfair, particularly given the ongoing issues of drivers refusing short-distance rides and causing traffic congestion near metro and railway stations.
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