Festival fever: MSRTC hikes bus fares by 10% from today

This Diwali will be costlier for passengers travelling by the Maharashtra State Road Transportation Corporation (MSRTC) buses. A seasonal fare hike of 10 per cent will be in force for 20 days, beginning from November 1.

The move, which is being followed for the last few years, will be applicable to all buses, except for the AC Shivshahi (sleeper) and AC Shivneri (seating) buses, an official release said.

According to the MSRTC officials, the fare hike will be a uniform 10 per cent across all slabs, unlike last year. Last year, during Diwali, ordinary bus fares were hiked by 5 per cent, those of semi-luxury buses were hiked by 10 per cent, while luxury class fares were increased by 15 per cent, an official said.

Those passengers who have already booked their tickets will have to pay the difference in fare at the time of travel. The fares were last revised on June 16 because of the hike in fuel prices. The seasonal fare hike is essential for generating revenue and stabilising the financial position of the state transport utility, added the official.

The MSRTC will be updating the fares for online

A seasonal fare hike of 10 per cent will be in force for 20 days, beginning from November 1

booking in a day or two, informed the official.

EXTRA BEST BUSES

Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking (BEST) will be plying 18 extra buses until November 5 in Dadar, Dadar Plaza, Bandra, Mahatma Phule Market, Kalbadevi and APMC Vashi. On November 9 (Bhaubeej), it will ply 136 extra buses across the city.