Overview
- MSRTC announced on Monday that the 10% seasonal surcharge, first imposed on April 15, will stay in force until midnight of July 15 to raise short-term revenue.
- The extended fares keep the stage rate at Rs 11.05 for ordinary and midi services and minimum fares at Rs 14 for adults and Rs 7 for children.
- The corporation cited higher diesel prices and a 5 percentage-point rise in employee dearness allowance to 58% as the fiscal pressures that prompted the extension.
- MSRTC operates more than 15,000 buses and carries about 55 lakh passengers each day, so the decision directly affects millions of daily commuters across Maharashtra.
- The move follows government measures to manage diesel distribution and comes as MSRTC reports financial strain, which could prompt further discussions about longer-term funding and subsidies for the service.