PUNE: Private bus operators are also likely to announce a hike in fares, a day after the MSRTC increased ticket rates on all routes. Private cabs and taxis, which operate between Mumbai and Pune are also likely to do the same.
With the increase in fares, a single ticket on an MSRTC Shivneri bus from Dadar to Swargate now costs Rs 525, as against the earlier Rs450. Around 400 MSRTC buses make an estimated 600 trips between Mumbai and Pune every day, according to MSRTC’s Pune traffic manager Dnyaneshwar Ranavare.
“This is a chance we cannot miss. Our fares to Mumbai are between Rs400 to Rs 500 and will go up by Rs100 from November 1. Given the high fuel prices, we have to increase fares just like the MSRTC has done. We hope passengers will not object,” Sunil Salva, director of Neeta Travels, told TOI.
Last week, private bus operators had been wary about increasing fares as per the set formula of the state government ahead of the festive season.
“Things have changed after the MSRTC’s hike. Now we have a solid reason to give passengers. Apart from hiking fares due to fuel prices, we will look at further increasing fares by 50% of MSRTC bus fares operating on the same routes,” said another transporter, adding that there will others who ply on old rates in a bid to get more passengers. Private cab owners too said a fare hike was in the offing. “Fares on all routes, including Pune-Mumbai, have to be increased by around Rs3 per kilometre. Many have already increased rates,” a cab driver said.
“The current cab fare to Mumbai airport from Pune is Rs3,500, in addition to the toll. We are looking to increase the fare by around Rs200. A final decision will be taken by the month-end,” said a representative of the Cool Cab service.
Those operating shared cabs said the fares per person from Pune station to Dadar have been increased to Rs900 from Rs800.“Only people with reserved tickets are allowed on inter-city trains while local trains ply between Pune and Lonavla for the moment. And now, bus and cab fares have increased. It is becoming difficult for ordinary travellers every day,” said Satish Burse, who works in Navi Mumbai.
