Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Chairman Bharat Gogawale announced that the corporation will add 3,500 new buses to its fleet in 2025. The move aims to enhance public transport services across the state, ensuring more reliable and efficient travel for passengers.

The announcement was made during a press conference in Nagpur on Wednesday. Highlighting the current challenges faced by MSRTC, Gogawale revealed that the fleet size, which once stood at 18,000 buses before the COVID-19 pandemic, has shrunk to 14,000. This reduction has resulted in increased vehicle breakdowns and limited services, affecting passenger convenience.

To address these issues, MSRTC will purchase 2,200 buses and lease an additional 1,300. The rollout of these buses will begin in January 2025, with the entire fleet expected to join by the end of the year. "This addition will reduce breakdowns, long waiting times, and passenger complaints. It marks a significant step towards improving the quality of services," Gogawale said.

Upgrading Infrastructure

The Chairman also detailed plans for the phased modernization of bus stations. Some stations will be upgraded using government funds, while others will follow a public-private partnership model under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme.

Gogawale praised the progress of the ongoing project initiated under former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to concrete 183 bus station premises with the help of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). He noted that the concreting work at Nagpur’s Ganeshpeth Bus Station is nearing completion, setting a benchmark for modern transport facilities in Vidarbha.

Lifeline of Maharashtra

Currently, MSRTC operates a fleet of around 14,000 buses, serving over 55 lakh passengers daily. Known as the lifeline of Maharashtra, the corporation connects more than 4,400 villages to major cities and district headquarters.

Dr. Madhav Kusekar, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of MSRTC, and other senior officials also attended the press conference, affirming their commitment to strengthening the state’s public transport system.