Mumbai: As farmers are being scorched by drought and common citizens are struggling with inflation, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on Thursday rejected a proposed 15% seasonal fare hike for the upcoming Diwali rush, asking why the public should bear an additional financial burden.Every year during the peak Diwali travel period, MSRTC temporarily increases fares. This year, the administration submitted a proposal for a blanket 15% hike from Nov 1 to Nov 15, 2026. However, MSRTC chairperson Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday turned down the proposal, taking a firm stand that adding to the economic strain of already struggling citizens is unacceptable.While acknowledging that the MSRTC faces financial losses, Sarnaik stressed that recovering these losses from ordinary commuters is unjustified. The iconic red bus (Lalpari) is an integral part of daily life for millions across rural Maharashtra—serving farmers, labourers, students, and senior citizens as their primary affordable mode of transport. A fare hike would directly hit their daily household budgets, making survival even harder for families hit by drought. He said that public welfare remains the top priority.Reassuring citizens, Sarnaik declared that this administration is empathetic and “will not abandon farmers or ordinary people.” He emphasised that alternative solutions must be found to address MSRTC’s financial difficulties without burdening commuters. Providing safe, reliable, and affordable travel from remote villages to major cities remains the core duty of the corporation.
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