Mumbai, July 23 -- The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has extended a temporary 10 per cent seasonal fare hike for ordinary buses until July 31, disappointing passengers. The increase was introduced on April 15 for a two month period to June 15 and was earlier extended to July 15. A scheduled meeting of the State Transport Authority to discuss a proposed 13.5 per cent fare revision was cancelled and rescheduled for July 17. The postponement prompted the extension to maintain current fares until the authority can decide.
Officials said the extension was necessary because diesel prices continued to rise and the corporation faced a worsening financial position. The state-run transporter currently consumes nearly 1.087 million (mn) litres of diesel every day across its 31 divisions and is operating at a loss in 21 divisions, including Kolhapur, Nashik, Nanded and Solapur. The move aims to shore up revenue and avoid service disruptions. Officials framed the measure as temporary pending the STA review.
Pratap Sarnaik, MSRTC chairman and Maharashtra transport minister, indicated that the decision followed a careful assessment of the corporation's finances and fuel costs and that the priority remained uninterrupted bus services and financial stability. He said the State Transport Authority would consider the proposed revision at its next meeting after analysing all aspects. The proposed change amounts to a 13.5 per cent revision for review by the authority. The corporation will implement any adjustments following the STA decision.
Under the revised seasonal fare structure the minimum fare for ordinary and midi buses has been rounded to Rs12, while the minimum fares are Rs14 for adult passengers and Rs7 for children. The rounding to one-rupee increments has revived conductor concerns about change disputes and employee unions have protested, demanding fares be rounded to multiples of Rs5 to reduce conflicts. The continuation of the temporary hike has fuelled discontent among commuters who rely on ST buses for affordable travel. Officials said they would weigh operational and commuter issues as the review proceeds.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.