School Bus Fares in Maharashtra Rise by 15%; Parents' Expenses to Increase in the New Academic Year

Even before the start of the new academic year in Maharashtra, news of additional expenses has come out for many parents. The School Bus Owners Association (Maharashtra) has announced that school bus fares will be hiked by 15 per cent starting from the 2026-27 academic year.

The association says that over the past few years, costs have risen significantly across the board, increasing from diesel prices to vehicle maintenance, insurance, and the salaries of drivers and assistants. For that, they stated that they had no alternative but to take this decision.

The School Bus Owners Association has said that costs within the transport sector have been rising rapidly for a large period. However, the situation has become increasingly difficult due to the lack of significant financial assistance or effective measures from the government or the relevant authorities.

According to the organisation, the factors contributing to this rise in costs include increased prices for diesel and fuel; higher salaries for drivers and assistants; vehicle maintenance expenses; increased insurance premiums; toll taxes and road-related charges; rising prices for spare parts and other supplies; the load of e-challans and fines; and etc.

The organisation has announced that these revised fares will come into effect from the new academic year, specifically, June 2026. This means that as soon as schools reopen, many parents may have to pay higher transportation fees compared to before. For many families, this could create additional financial strain, particularly for those with multiple children attending school and utilising bus services.

The School Bus Owners Association has stated that, prior to raising fares, they held multiple rounds of discussions with the Government of Maharashtra, the Transport Department, and other administrative bodies. Various notes were also submitted. Their objective was to find a solution that would allow services to continue without placing the entire financial load on parents. However, the association alleges that, in reality, they received no effective concessions.

According to school bus operators, holding to safety regulations over the basics of driving has become significantly more expensive. They are driven to make additional investments in regular fitness inspections, CCTV systems, GPS tracking, security personnel, and other related services. They argue that, under current circumstances, a revision of fares has become essential to maintain a safe and reliable service.

On the other hand, this decision has sparked controversy among parents. Over the past few years, educational expenses have risen significantly. Moreover, many fear that an increase in transportation costs on top of this will surely strain their monthly budgets.

This is particularly true in major cities, where commuting over long distances is common, and trust in school buses is consequently very high. As a result, this fare hike could directly impact a large number of families.

The organisation has appealed to the state government to urgently review the situation. According to them, it is necessary to take measures that safeguard the interests of all partners: students, parents, schools, and transport services.

I am writing about this issue because school bus services are directly linked with the daily lives of thousands of families across the city and its surrounding area. If transportation costs rise alongside expenses for books, uniforms, and tuition fees in the new academic year, it will impact the budgets of middle-class families.

At the same time, it is crucial to accept the financial challenges faced by bus operators. Therefore, it is essential to gain a clear understanding of the reasons behind this fare hike, the stance of the operators' association, and the potential results for parents.