Last updated: October 2026. This page explains how MSRTC bus fares work in 2026 — the per-stage fare chart for every bus class, example route prices after the July-2026 revision, and the discounts available to women, children and other concession categories.
This is an independent, unofficial guide. It is not affiliated with MSRTC or the Government of Maharashtra. The fare figures below come from July-2026 news reports and can change — check the MSRTC official source for the current rates before you travel.
MSRTC Per-Stage Fare Chart (July 2026 Revision)
MSRTC fares are calculated per stage — a stage being the distance unit the corporation uses between stops. Multiply the per-stage rate for your bus class by the number of stages on your route, and the final ticket price is rounded to the nearest ₹5. The table below shows the per-stage rates per July-2026 news reports; the STA-approved revision of about 13.56% took effect on July 18, 2026. Check the MSRTC official source for current rates.
| Bus class | Per-stage fare |
|---|---|
| Ordinary | ₹11.40 |
| Semi-luxury | ₹13.65 |
| Sleeper-seater | ₹15.50 |
| Sleeper | ₹16.75 |
| Shivshahi AC seater | ₹14.20 |
| Shivshahi AC sleeper | ₹15.35 |
| Shivneri AC seater | ₹21.25 |
| Shivneri AC sleeper | ₹25.35 |
Notice the gap between classes: a premium Shivneri AC sleeper costs more than twice the per-stage rate of an ordinary Lal Pari bus. Choosing a lower class on the same route is the simplest way to cut the ticket price — ordinary and semi-luxury buses cover the same roads as the AC services.
Popular Route Fares After the July-2026 Revision
The examples below are per July-2026 news reports and show how ordinary-bus fares moved after the revision. Open the linked route guide for timetables and boarding points on each corridor — and check the MSRTC official source for the fare on your exact date of travel.
| Route | Fare before revision | Fare after revision |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai–Satara | about ₹498 | about ₹555 |
| Mumbai–Kolhapur | about ₹730 | about ₹755 |
| Mumbai–Solapur | about ₹705 | about ₹800 |
| Pune–Solapur | about ₹454 | about ₹480 |
| Nashik–Pune | about ₹410 | about ₹425 |
All figures per July-2026 news reports; final ticket prices are rounded to the nearest ₹5 — check the MSRTC official source for current rates.
Discounts: Women, Children and Concession Categories
Women and children get a 50% discount on MSRTC ordinary buses (per reports — check official source). This is one of the most-used concessions in the state, alongside free travel for senior citizens aged 75 and above under the Amrut Jyeshtha Nagarik scheme, 50% concession for senior citizens aged 65–74, monthly passes for students under SARAL, and 50–100% concession for divyang passengers holding UDID cards.
Many of these concessions are now loaded onto the NCMC smart card, so the discounted fare is deducted automatically when you tap the card on the conductor’s machine. See our MSRTC NCMC card guide for who qualifies, what documents to carry, and how to apply at your depot.
How to Find Your Exact Fare
Because fares depend on the number of stages and the bus class — and because the July-2026 revision is still rolling out across depots — the surest way to know your fare is to check it for your specific trip: look it up on the official MSRTC reservation portal while booking, ask at the enquiry window of your departure depot, or call the MSRTC helpline 1800-22-1250. If the fare you are quoted differs from the examples on this page, the official source is the one to trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are MSRTC fares calculated?
Fares are per-stage — the per-stage rate for your bus class multiplied by the number of stages on your route, rounded to the nearest ₹5. Check the MSRTC official source for the current rates.
Where can I check the current fare for my route?
On the official MSRTC reservation portal, at the depot enquiry window, or on the helpline 1800-22-1250. These are the only sources that reflect the latest revision for your specific bus and date.
Do fares differ by bus type?
Yes — premium AC classes like Shivneri cost more per stage than ordinary Lal Pari buses; see the fare table above. On the same route, an ordinary bus is always the cheapest option.
Did MSRTC raise fares recently?
The STA approved about a 13.56% revision effective July 18, 2026, per news reports; the earlier 10% seasonal surcharge was withdrawn. Per-stage rates and example route fares above reflect that revision — check the MSRTC official source for the latest position.
This is an independent, unofficial guide — not affiliated with MSRTC or the Government of Maharashtra. Start from our MSRTC timetable homepage for bus timings, route guides and bus-stand information across Maharashtra.
Example: How the Per-Stage Maths Works
Suppose your trip covers 40 stages and you travel by ordinary bus. The base comes to 40 × ₹11.40 = ₹456, which is then rounded to the nearest ₹5 for the final ticket price. Take the same 40 stages in a Shivneri AC seater and the base becomes 40 × ₹21.25 = ₹850 before rounding. This is only an illustration of the method — the number of stages on a real route is fixed by MSRTC, so always check the official source for your actual fare.
Tips to Keep Your MSRTC Fare Low
- Travel ordinary or semi-luxury on routes where you do not need AC — the per-stage gap between ordinary and premium classes is large.
- If you qualify for a concession (woman, senior citizen, student, divyang), get the NCMC card so the discount applies automatically — see our MSRTC NCMC card guide.
- For daily commuting, ask at your depot about monthly passes, which work out cheaper than daily tickets.
- Compare the final rounded fare across bus classes before booking — on shorter routes the difference between classes can be smaller than you expect.
Fares reward the flexible traveller: the right bus class and the right concession can cut a trip’s cost substantially. Whatever you choose, verify the price on the official MSRTC source before you board.