Pune: Passengers Up In Arms As MSRTC Bus Fares Hiked By 14.95%, Say ‘First Improve Quality, Then Increase Ticket Prices’ | Ankit Shukla
A 14.95 per cent hike in fares of the buses operated by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) came into effect on Saturday. As a result of this hike, passengers travelling by MSRTC buses will have to pay more for their journeys. This has sparked dissatisfaction among regular passengers. While officials justify the hike due to rising costs of fuel and vehicle maintenance, passengers argue that the move is unjustified as the MSRTC buses are often in poor condition.
Passenger Reactions:
Sujith Waghmare, a resident of Mukund Nagar, said, “I usually travel three times a week from Swargate to Satara. This is a burden on the passenger’s pocket. We are not happy with the hike. A two or three per cent hike in fare would have been fair enough, but nearly 15 per cent is way too much.”
Shivani Godbole, who was heading towards Kolhapur from Swargate, expressed, “If the government has decided to increase the fare, they should also increase the facilities. All the red buses of MSRTC are in bad condition. These buses are always dirty, and the seats are in bad shape. Those who travel by these buses belong to the middle class, and they do not have enough money to travel in private buses. The government should work on enhancing the quality of the buses before raising the fares.”
Zaffar Khan, another passenger, stated, “I am dependent on public transport for my small garment business. Most of all diesel buses of MSRTC are in the worst condition. Why isn’t the government deciding to provide new CNG-based buses? The hike in ticket prices is a matter of concern.”
Official Perspective:
Meanwhile, speaking to The Free Press Journal, Promod Nehul, Divisional Controller of the Pune Division, said, “The fare has been increased by 14.95 per cent this year. However, it is lower in comparison to the last increment, which was 18 per cent in 2021.”
“The price of auto parts such as chassis and tyres have increased in recent years. Fuel prices also have been increased, leading to the hike in state transport fares. This decision has been taken by the higher officials,” he added.
Revised Fares:
Meanwhile, the minimum revised fare, which excludes accident relief fund, for the first stage of 6km distance will be Rs 10.05 from Rs 8.70 for non -AC ordinary buses, Rs 11.85 to Rs 13.65 for non-AC semi-luxury and sleep coach seater buses, Rs 11.85 to Rs 14.75 for non AC sleeper coach buses, and Rs 12.35 to Rs 14.20 for AC Shivshahi buses, stated a release.
It will be Rs 12.95 to Rs 14.90 buses for AC Janshivneri buses, Rs 13.35 to Rs 15.35 for AC Shivshahi sleeper coach buses, Rs 18.50 to Rs 21.25 for AC Shivneri seating buses, Rs 12 to Rs 13.90 for AC midi e-buses and Rs 13.20 to Rs 15.15 for e-Shivai buses, it added.
“Passengers will have to pay Rs 403 instead of Rs 350, as well as Rs 602 instead of Rs 525 and Rs 429 instead of Rs 375 for AC Shivshahi, Shiveri and E-Shivai buses, respectively. On the Pune-Shivaji Nagar to Nagpur route, passengers will have to shell out Rs 1247 instead of Rs 1080 and Rs 1694 instead of Rs 1470 for ordinary and semi-luxury non AC buses, respectively. Passengers will have to pay Rs 1845 instead of Rs 1605, as well as Rs 2761 instead of Rs 2405 and Rs 1968 instead of Rs 1715 for AC Shivshahi, Shiveri and E-Shivai buses, respectively,” an official informed.
