MSRTC Repurposes Shivshahi Buses Into Non AC Semi Luxury Fleet
Pune commuters can soon expect more convenient boarding options beyond the city limits, as the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation plans to establish additional pick‑up points along major highways surrounding the metropolitan area. A June survey by the MSRTC Pune division revealed that hundreds of passengers each evening abandon state buses in favour of private cabs or cars because mid‑route stops on bypass roads rarely have vacant seats.
Determined to reclaim these travellers, officials have mapped demand hotspots, instructed drivers to conduct on‑site counts, and committed to piloting fresh halts on the Mumbai, Nashik, and Kolhapur corridors within the current quarter.Field teams monitored passenger flow between 4 pm and 8 pm at informal kerbside shelters that fall outside the four main MSRTC hubs of Wakad, Chandni Chowk, Hadapsar, and Katraj. Rough calculations showed that close to 500 potential customers—many working in IT parks and manufacturing clusters—regularly switch to ride‑shares or private buses when state services arrive full from Pune station. Officials concede that the lost revenue threatens MSRTC’s market share, especially on lucrative weekend runs linking the city to Mumbai.
To reverse the trend, the corporation will upgrade existing lay‑bys with raised platforms, lighting, and modest shelters, and will demarcate new stops where footfall justifies scheduled halts. Drivers have been asked to log boarding patterns, while route planners will adjust timetables to prevent overcrowding at peak outbound hours on Fridays and holidays. Longer‑term proposals include digital seat‑reservation displays at the busiest bypass points and a mobile‑app alert that indicates real‑time capacity.
Early reaction from daily riders has been positive. Regular Hinjewadi‑Mumbai commuter groups argue that reliable highway boarding could cut wait times, reduce traffic congestion at primary depots, and encourage passengers to abandon private cars. MSRTC will finalise its trial list of pick‑up locations after a follow‑up survey in August and expects the first upgraded stops to become operational before the Diwali travel rush.
