Mumbai: MSRTC Fare Hike and Transport Updates in Maharashtra
Starting Saturday, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) implemented a 14.95% fare hike for its bus services. This decision, based on the Hakim Committee’s fare revision formula, will affect passengers across all routes operated by MSRTC. With a fleet of 15,000 buses catering to approximately 55 lakh passengers daily, the increased fares will have a widespread impact on commuters throughout the state.
In parallel, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) approved a ₹3 increase in base fares for auto-rickshaws and black-and-yellow taxis. Consequently, auto-rickshaw fares have risen from ₹23 to ₹26, while taxi fares have increased from ₹28 to ₹31. Additionally, the base fare for blue-and-silver AC cool cabs has gone up by ₹8, bringing the starting fare to ₹48 for the first 1.5 kilometers, up from ₹40. However, these updated rates will only take effect once the meters of all vehicles are recalibrated.
Adding to the city’s transport changes, Western Railway initiated a three-day jumbo block from January 24 to 26 to facilitate bridge construction between Bandra and Mahim. The block, which began at 11 PM on January 24, will continue each night until 8:30 AM the following day.
The block has led to several train schedule modifications:
- Mumbai Central-Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 20901): Rescheduled to depart at 6:15 AM on January 25, 2025.
- Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad Gujarat Superfast Express (Train No. 22953): Departure rescheduled to 6:40 AM.
- Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express (Train No. 12009): Departure shifted to 6:30 AM.
- Bhusaval-Dadar Special (Train No. 09052): Will short terminate at Borivali, with services between Borivali and Dadar canceled for January 25, 2025.
Western Railway’s social media updates continue to inform passengers about these changes, urging them to plan their travel accordingly.