MSRTC hikes fares by 18 per cent

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on Friday hiked its fares by 18 per cent owing to the increase in diesel prices and the increase in the salary of its employees. The new fares will be applicable from midnight of June 15. About 67 lakh people use State Transport (ST)  buses every day across the state.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the State Transport Authority (STA) at Mantralaya, chaired by the state transport secretary. The STA on Friday gave its nod to the hike to reduce the coporation’s financial burden.

According to the MSRTC, due to the rise in diesel prices, the corporation is facing an additional burden of Rs 460 crore annually. Besides, a recent hike in salaries of the corporation’s employees has added a burden of Rs 4,849 crore on the MSRTC.

An officer of the corporation said that the fare hike was necessary due to the increasing burden on the corporation. “Actually, the fare hike should have been done at 30 per cent, taking into account the expenditure of the corporation. However it was done at only 18 per cent. If the government reduces taxes on diesel, the corporation will rethink the fare revision,” he said.

Meanwhile, travelling from Mumbai to Pune by Shivneri will now cost Rs 530 instead of rs 447; and Rs Rs 254 instead of rs 290 by Shiv Shahi; while the general ST bus will cost Rs 195 instead of Rs 170 for Mumbai to Pune.