People across Maharashtra rely heavily on buses for their daily commute. However, regular passengers will now have to spend more on their journeys as the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has revised its ticket fares, making bus travel costlier from July 18. Read on to know more!
Bus Ticket Prices Rise Across Maharashtra
After receiving approval from the State Transport Authority (STA), MSRTC increased bus fares by 13.56%. As per Mathrubhumi English, the revised fares came into effect on July 18. MSRTC said it raised ticket prices because the cost of running and maintaining buses has gone up. Expenses such as diesel, repairs, staff allowances and tyres have become more expensive.
The fare hike applies to all MSRTC services, including ordinary buses, semi-luxury buses, Shivshahi AC buses and Shivneri premium coaches. Also, MSRTC has removed the 10% extra seasonal charge that was earlier added to ordinary bus tickets, which was supposed to be in effect till the end of July.
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What Are The Updated Bus Prices?
After the revised fares came into effect, passengers travelling by ordinary buses will pay ₹11.40 per stage. Mathrubhumi English reported that semi-luxury bus fares have been fixed at ₹13.65 per stage. Ordinary sleeper-seater buses will charge ₹15.50 per stage, while ordinary sleeper buses will cost ₹16.75 per stage.
Premium services have also become more expensive. Passengers using Shivshahi AC seater buses will pay ₹14.20 per stage; Shivshahi AC sleeper buses will charge ₹15.35 per stage; Shivneri AC seater buses now cost ₹21.25 per stage, and Shivneri AC sleeper buses will charge ₹25.35 per stage. MSRTC will continue to round off ticket prices to the nearest ₹5.
Talking about popular routes, the Mumbai–Satara fare has gone up from ₹498 to ₹555. Price for Mumbai to Kolhapur is now ₹755, which previously was ₹730. The Mumbai–Solapur fare has increased from ₹705 to ₹800. Also, the Pune–Solapur ticket now costs ₹480, and the Nashik–Pune fare has increased to ₹410
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FAQs
Why Maharashtra increase bus fare?
MSRTC increased bus fares because the cost of operating and maintaining buses, including fuel, repairs, staff allowances and tyres, has risen.