Passengers travelling on Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses during Diwali will not face the proposed 15% seasonal fare increase after Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik rejected the plan on October 15. The hike had been proposed for the November 1–15 period, when bus demand typically rises as people travel to visit family, return to their hometowns and undertake essential journeys.
The proposal was turned down on the grounds that higher fares would add to the financial pressure on households facing inflation and rising living costs. Sarnaik said passengers should not be required to bear an additional burden during the festive period, according to a statement shared from Thane.
The decision means MSRTC tickets will not include the proposed seasonal surcharge during the first half of November. The corporation had cited the expected Diwali travel rush as the basis for considering the temporary fare revision.
MSRTC’s red buses serve as a major transport link across Maharashtra, particularly in rural and remote areas where alternative public transport options may be limited. Farmers, agricultural workers, students, senior citizens and working passengers depend on the network to connect villages with towns and larger cities.
A seasonal increase during Diwali could have affected passengers travelling in both directions: those leaving cities for their hometowns and those travelling from rural areas to urban centres for work, education, services or family visits. The rejection of the proposal provides passengers with greater certainty while planning journeys during the November 1–15 period.
The decision also highlights the financial challenge facing Maharashtra’s state transport undertaking. Seasonal fare revisions are one way for a public bus corporation to respond to higher demand and rising operating pressures, but increasing fares during a period of concentrated travel can place the cost directly on households that rely on the network because it remains comparatively affordable.
With the proposed increase no longer under consideration, MSRTC will need to address its financial requirements without transferring the additional seasonal cost to passengers. The source report does not specify whether the corporation will receive additional financial support, reduce costs or adopt another measure to manage the revenue impact.
For commuters, the immediate implication is that journeys booked or undertaken during the Diwali travel window will not carry the proposed 15% increase. The transport corporation’s next steps on managing its finances and maintaining safe, reliable connectivity across Maharashtra remain to be announced.
