Transport Minister and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Chairman, Pratap Sarnaik, emphasized the crucial role of State Transport (ST) buses in rural areas, underscoring the challenge of balancing service provision with financial stability for the corporation. In response to soaring fuel prices, a potential fare increase is being discussed, although immediate adjustments are not planned.
Minister Sarnaik led a high-level meeting with senior MSRTC officials following the recent surge in diesel prices. He revealed that the corporation faces an additional financial burden of about Rs 124 crore annually due to the spike in fuel costs. With the MSRTC consuming an average of 10.87 lakh litres of diesel daily, the recent price hike from Rs 88.21 to Rs 91.31 per litre has led to a significant rise in daily expenses.
The Minister highlighted the financial strain on MSRTC, citing a loss of around Rs 76 crore in April 2026 alone. The escalating fuel expenses are exacerbating the corporation’s financial woes, raising the likelihood of a future fare hike. However, Minister Sarnaik clarified that any fare adjustments will follow governmental guidelines on fuel price increases and require approval from the State Transport Authority before implementation.
Minister Sarnaik outlined the corporation’s focus on fuel conservation, expanding e-bus deployment, cost-cutting measures, and revenue enhancement strategies to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs. The potential fare hike is seen as a measure to offset the projected annual burden on MSRTC, which is already grappling with substantial financial challenges.
