MSRTC gears up with e-buses, modernised bus stands
Hit by the long-drawn strike by employees, the cash-strapped Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is heading for a mega revamp, with a sustainable model.
In the budget tabled on Friday, the state government announced the provision of 3,000 eco-friendly buses for the MSRTC, which also awaits a total of 2,200 such buses announced in the previous budgets. Currently, the MSRTC has a fleet of around 16,500 plying across the state’s 250 bus depots and around 600 bus stations.
In the next two years, the plan is not only to replace some of the buses with energy-efficient models but also upgrade 103 high-footfall bus stations.
A senior MSRTC official said, “The upgradation plan includes modernisation of parking space for buses, improvement of passenger amenities such as waiting lounges, drinking water and toilets.” He said the aim is to provide regular, reliable, comfortable and cost-effective passenger transport service without compromising on safety.
Speaking on the procurement of buses announced in earlier budgets, senior officials apprised that the process got delayed due to the pandemic. “Now tendering process for the procurement of 700 buses ( announced in 2020-2021) is on. We are hoping that delivery of this lot will be started by the end of this year,” it was informed. The funds for 1,500 buses announced in the last year’s budget may also be received by this year-end.
Recently, a three member committee, which was set up in November 2021, to find a way for financiallyresuscitating the MSRTC rejected the strikers’ primary demand of merging the state transport corporation with the state government.
Instead they averred that “the need of the hour” is to phase out the diesel guzzling buses and replace them with e-buses, development of depots and bus stands. It suggested the maximum use of MSRTC's assets, including huge space of bus depots and opting for wet lease model.
Currently, the MSRTC suffers from cumulative losses of nearly Rs 10,000 crore.