Mumbai: Private Bus Fares Soar To ₹5,000 For Pune, ₹9,999 For Sambhajinagar Amid Diwali; Transport Department Launches Crackdown
Mumbai: Diwali travellers heading out of Mumbai are facing steep hikes in private bus fares, with complaints of operators taking advantage of the festive rush and limited availability of alternative transport options. Complaints of fares rising two to three times above regular rates have led the Maharashtra Transport Department to launch a special inspection drive against private bus operators.…
As Diwali travelers prepare to leave Mumbai, private bus fares are soaring to unprecedented levels, causing outrage among commuters. The Maharashtra Transport Department has launched a crackdown on private bus operators accused of exploiting the festive demand and limited public transport options. Complaints of fares increasing two to three times the regular rates have prompted the inspection drive, which began on November 1 and will continue until November 20. The campaign aims to curb excessive fare collection during the busy travel period.
Popular routes are experiencing fare hikes, with a sleeper bus ticket from Mumbai to Pune now costing up to Rs 5,000, while travel to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar can reach Rs 9,999. Another route to Nagpur charges passengers around Rs 8,000. Many commuters are complaining that fares on several routes have risen two to three times above their normal prices. With train and state-run bus seats often hard to come by during Diwali, private buses become the go-to option for many travelers.
The inspection drive will verify if private operators are adhering to the maximum fare limit, which is set at 1.5 times the fare charged by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) for the same service. Private bus operators are also required to display the maximum permissible fare and per-seat rate chart at the boarding point for passenger convenience. A helpline number for lodging complaints about fare violations should also be clearly displayed.
The transport department's special campaign targets fare violations and ensures compliance with these regulations. Meanwhile, the MSRTC has appealed to passengers to utilize state-run bus services for affordable and safe travel. Senior citizens under the Amrut scheme receive a 100% concession, while senior citizens and women are entitled to a 50% discount on ticket fares. The department hopes the inspection drive will alleviate passenger concerns over excessive travel costs during the festive season.
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