Maharashtra government has announced a complete waiver of toll charges for Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses across highways, expressways and major link roads. The decision comes ahead of the festive season when the corporation experiences peak demand, particularly on the heavily travelled Pune–Mumbai corridor.
Officials confirmed that the exemption is expected to save the corporation nearly ₹63 lakh every month, or about ₹2 lakh a day, providing much-needed financial relief to one of India’s largest state-run bus networks. For years, tolls had been a heavy burden on MSRTC’s operations, particularly for its E-Shivneri luxury fleet running between Pune and Mumbai. On this route alone, the corporation had to pay ₹148 per trip on the expressway, ₹140 on the old highway, and ₹530 on the Atal Setu. For round trips, this translated into approximately ₹1,404 per bus on the expressway stretches and nearly ₹5,810 for journeys using the Atal Setu link. With hundreds of buses plying daily, the cumulative toll costs were cutting deep into MSRTC’s revenues and limiting its ability to invest in service upgrades. Officials explained that the waiver will allow the corporation to redirect savings towards better fleet management, service frequency and long-term sustainability.
Transport experts highlighted that the state’s decision addresses one of MSRTC’s longest-standing demands. The corporation, struggling with operational inefficiencies and rising costs, has been under constant pressure to improve reliability while keeping fares affordable for the public. By reducing expenses, the move is expected to stabilise finances and ease the corporation’s ability to cater to passengers during high-demand periods. For the public, the impact could be equally significant. While fares are not expected to drop immediately, the financial relief provides MSRTC with scope to maintain current ticket rates despite mounting inflationary pressures. Experts believe that more consistent and better-maintained services could follow, especially if the savings are reinvested into upgrading infrastructure and greener technologies.
The announcement also comes at a time when governments across India are under pressure to make public transport both affordable and sustainable. In Maharashtra, where urban mobility is often marred by congestion and pollution, strengthening state-run bus services is being seen as a critical component of reducing dependence on private vehicles. Officials clarified that the exemption applies uniformly across MSRTC buses and not just premium services. This means both urban and rural travellers could indirectly benefit from improved financial health of the corporation. However, civic observers have urged transparency in how the savings will be utilised, calling for a clear roadmap to channel funds into service quality, road safety and eco-friendly fleet expansion.
The state government has positioned the waiver as not merely a financial relief measure, but as an intervention to make public transport more resilient and accessible. For MSRTC, the exemption marks a turning point in reducing recurring costs, while for passengers, it signals the possibility of improved travel comfort and reliability in the months ahead.
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