Considering the devastating flood situation across Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday announced the cancellation of the proposed 10 per cent bus fare hike by the Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC).
Speaking to the media, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the MSRTC traditionally increases fares by 10 per cent during the Diwali season, generating around Rs 30 crore in revenue. However, considering the hardships faced by people due to floods this year, the government has decided to roll back the hike as an exception.
Shinde, while asserting that he has instructed the Transport Minister to roll back the hike in prices, stated, “I have directed Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik to ensure the fare hike is cancelled. The priority is to provide relief to citizens already suffering due to the natural calamity.”
The move comes as a relief to thousands of daily commuters who rely on ST buses, especially in rural and flood-affected regions of the state.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) had announced a temporary 10 per cent fare hike across all its bus services, excluding the air-conditioned Shivneri and Shivai services.
