Diwali travel: MSRTC introduces 250 extra buses to ease crowding
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has announced the deployment of 250 extra buses to meet the high travel demand during the upcoming Diwali festival. These buses will cater to passengers traveling from Pune to various parts of Maharashtra, ensuring better and more timely service.
Due to a reduction in the overall number of buses in the MSRTC fleet this year, extra buses have been arranged from divisions like Beed, Latur, Akola, and Nashik to support Pune’s MSRTC services. This step aims to avoid inconvenience to the large number of passengers expected during the festive season.
Many working professionals and students in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad travel home for Diwali, leading to crowded trains and buses. With private operators raising ticket prices, most people book their tickets in advance. However, a bus shortage has been observed at key depots like Swargate, Shivajinagar, Pune Station, and Vallabhnagar.
Of the 815 buses available in Pune, 521 are over 10 years old and unsuitable for long-distance travel. Frequent breakdowns have made these buses unreliable. While some popular routes to Mumbai, Kolhapur, and Nashik have modern e-Shivneri and Shivai buses, passengers on other routes face difficulties.
MSRTC has arranged for additional buses in good condition from across the state.
Officials have highlighted the need for long-term planning, stating that MSRTC should expand its fleet permanently to meet the growing demand.