With schools in Pune set to reopen on June 3, parents have begun receiving notifications of increased transportation fees from school bus and van operators. The operators attribute this approximately 10% hike to rising fuel costs and escalating operational expenses, including spare parts and maintenance. Rajesh Shirodkar, a bus operator in Kothrud and Karvenagar, emphasized that these rising costs leave operators with no choice but to adjust fares. Bipin Aware, who runs van services in Baner and Balewadi, noted that expenses related to insurance, permits, and driver salaries have also increased significantly over the past year. Rajan Junavane, president of the Pune Bus and Car Owners Association, which represents around 4,500 vehicles, stated that fare revisions are essential to sustain services. This increase has compounded financial pressures on families already facing rising education costs. For instance, Priya Deshmukh from Aundh reported her monthly transport bill rising from ₹3,800 to ₹4,400, while Rohit Wani from Wakad noted an increase from ₹3,200 to ₹3,500 for his daughter's van service. Parents express understanding of the operators' challenges but are concerned about the cumulative impact of rising educational expenses.