Mumbai, Dec 17
Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has announced a special New Year gift for its passengers. The state-owned transport service will add over 1,300 new buses to its fleet in a significant move aimed at addressing long-standing bus shortages
In recent years, MSRTC has faced a significant decline in daily commuters, losing 11 lakh passengers due to a reduced number of buses. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the corporation operated around 18,500 buses, with 15,500 actively serving approximately 65 lakh passengers daily. However, the pandemic and subsequent maintenance challenges led to a shortage of nearly 1,000 buses, reducing the active fleet to about 14,500 and bringing daily passenger numbers down to 54 lakh. This shortage continued despite rising demand, resulting in financial losses for the corporation.
To address this issue, MSRTC has announced plans to add around 1,300 new buses on a rental basis. Approximately 450 of these buses will be deployed in key regions, including Mumbai-Pune, Nashik-Sambhajinagar, and Nagpur-Amravati. Operations for these buses are expected to commence in the new year. This initiative aims not only to help MSRTC recover from its financial setbacks but also to provide affordable transportation options for economically weaker sections of society.
Passengers traveling across Maharashtra will benefit from enhanced services without the burden of rising costs. With this expansion, MSRTC seeks to restore its position as a reliable and widely used transport service. For the millions who rely on the iconic "Lal Pari" buses, this announcement serves as a New Year’s gift from the state corporation.