Maharashtra: MSRTC to Introduce 1,300 New Buses to Its Fleet

Mumbai, Dec 17 (NationPress) The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has revealed a delightful New Year surprise for its passengers. The state-run transport entity will incorporate over 1,300 new buses into its fleet, a pivotal step towards resolving ongoing bus shortages.

In recent years, the MSRTC has seen a drop of 11 lakh daily commuters due to the diminished number of buses. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the corporation operated around 18,500 buses, with 15,500 buses actively servicing about 65 lakh passengers every day.

However, the pandemic and subsequent maintenance challenges led to an approximate loss of 1,000 buses, which shrank the active fleet to around 14,500 and caused daily passenger numbers to decline to 54 lakh. This shortage continued despite the rising demand, leading to financial setbacks for the corporation.

In an effort to reverse this trend, MSRTC plans to add about 1,300 new buses on a rental basis. Approximately 450 of these buses will be allocated to areas such as Mumbai-Pune, Nashik-Sambhajinagar, and Nagpur-Amravati, among others. These buses are expected to commence operations in the upcoming year.

This initiative is expected to not only aid MSRTC in recovering from its financial losses but also ensure affordable transportation for the economically disadvantaged sections of society.

Passengers traveling across Maharashtra will experience enhanced services without the burden of escalating costs.

With this expansion, MSRTC aims to reclaim its status as a dependable and extensively utilized transport service. For the millions reliant on the iconic 'Lal Pari' buses, this announcement is truly a New Year’s gift from the state corporation.