MSRTC cancels 10 pc seasonal fare hike

Mumbai, Oct 1 (PTI) The Maharashtra government has cancelled the 10 per cent seasonal fare hike of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses.

The decision is likely to result in a loss of additional revenue for the cash-strapped public transport body.

Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Wednesday that the fare hike was being cancelled on the directive of deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in view of the flood situation in the state.

In a release issued by his office, Sarnaik, who is also the chairman of the MSRTC, said crores of passengers would benefit due to the decision.

MSRTC had planned to implement a 10 percent hike in fares of its ordinary, semi luxury, sleeper-cum-sitting, air-conditioned Shivneri and Jan-Shivneri buses during the peak season of Diwali from October 15 to November 5.

Interestingly, for the second time in the last few months Sarnaik, a Shiv Sena leader, had to cancel a seasonal fare hike of the MSRTC on the directive of Shinde, his party chief. Earlier in July, Shinde had asked him to cancel a 30 percent hike in fares of Ganapati special buses.

While the cancellation of fare hike will give some relief to passengers, the cash-strapped corporation, which is suffering heavy operational losses and struggling to pay salaries to its over 80,000 employees on time, will lose additional income of Rs 20-60 crore, an MSRTC official said.

Deputy CM Shinde should ensure that the public transport body gets adequate compensation from the government, the official added.

MSRTC operates a fleet of around 15,000 buses which ferry some 60 lakh passengers daily. PTI KK KRK