Mumbai: In a move set to impact millions of commuters across Maharashtra, the State Transport Authority (STA) on Friday approved a proposal by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to increase bus fares by an average 13.5%. The revised fares will come into effect from Saturday, said an official.There is no change in fare for AC Shivneri buses, said the official.The fare revision comes amid mounting operational costs faced by the corporation, primarily due to the recent rise in diesel prices and an increase in the dearness allowance paid to employees.Sources said that the minimum bus fare for 6 km will increase from Rs 13 to Rs 15 once the fare rise is implemented.The latest increase marks the second major fare increase within a year for the state-run transport body. The MSRTC raised fares by nearly 15% last year, whereas fare revisions in the past were typically limited to around 4%-5% annually, said officials.Officials said the revised fare structure was necessary to offset growing expenditure and ensure the financial sustainability of the transport undertaking.The decision coincides with a broader phase of modernisation being undertaken by MSRTC. The corporation has been investing in initiatives aimed at improving passenger amenities, expanding its fleet, digitising services and enhancing overall operational efficiency.The fare hike comes against the backdrop of several new initiatives announced by MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik. These include the expansion of electric and air-conditioned bus services and the rollout of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) system for concessionary travel from Aug 1. Women, senior citizens and beneficiaries under the Amrit scheme will be required to use NCMC smart cards to avail themselves of travel concessions.According to MSRTC officials, more than 62 lakh passengers have registered for the NCMC programme, with over 35 lakh cards activated so far. The smart card-based system is expected to streamline ticketing, reduce manual processing and improve concession management.One of India’s largest public transport undertakings, MSRTC operates around 16,000 buses, carries 55-60 lakh passengers daily, and manages 251 depots and more than 560 bus stations across Maharashtra. Its network serves as a crucial transport lifeline, connecting major cities, smaller towns and remote villages across the state.Sources said a meeting of the STA on the fare revision proposal, initially scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed and held on Friday, where the increase was approved.
