Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has announced the induction of 1,300 new buses into its fleet on January 1, 2025, a move that MSRTC Chairman Bharat Gogawale has dubbed as a “New Year’s gift” to the people of Maharashtra.
The new buses are part of MSRTC’s ongoing efforts to modernize the state’s transport services and improve travel conditions for the public. According to Gogawale, the initiative aims to provide safer and more comfortable travel options for passengers, particularly those using the iconic “Lal Pari” buses, a nickname for the state transport services. “This is not an overnight achievement but a result of ongoing efforts over the past two years,” said Bharat Gogawale. He added that this expansion is just the beginning, with plans to further increase the fleet in the coming years. Out of the 1,300 new buses, approximately 450 will be dedicated to specific regions, including high-demand routes like Nashik-Sambhaji Nagar, Nagpur-Amravati, and the Mumbai-Pune corridor. This distribution aims to strengthen services in these key areas, meeting the rising demand for reliable public transport.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, MSRTC operated a fleet of around 18,500 buses, with 15,500 in active service, catering to 65 lakh daily passengers. However, due to the aging fleet and a shortage of new buses, MSRTC had to reduce its fleet by approximately 1,000 buses, which led to a drop in daily ridership to 54 lakh passengers. With the induction of these new buses, MSRTC is confident it will recover from previous losses and become profitable once again. “These new buses will be a crucial step in making MSRTC profitable, which will directly benefit the people of Maharashtra,” the statement added. The introduction of more buses will also help alleviate the financial burden on passengers, making the service more affordable for lower-income communities who depend on the “Lal Pari” for daily travel. MSRTC aims to improve the overall efficiency and convenience of public transportation in Maharashtra, making the journey smoother for millions of passengers across the state.