Maharashtra To Buy 3,000 New Buses With 3x2 Seating To Boost Public Transport Capacity

Thousands of bus passengers across Maharashtra especially in rural and semi-urban pockets can soon expect fewer cramped rides and more seats, as the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has decided to bring back the 3x2 seating layout after over 15 years.

The decision comes as part of the state transport body’s broader strategy to boost transport capacity and income loss in its ordinary bus fleet, PTI reported.

The MSRTC board has approved the purchase of 3,000 new buses featuring the traditional 3x2 layout, replacing the current 2x2 configuration in ordinary services.

"Earlier, there were 52-55 seats in a bus, but now that number has come down to 40. So automatically, the requirement for buses went up, but the income per trip dropped. Hence, we decided to reintroduce 3x2 buses in the fleet," said state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik.

Officials said the change will allow each 11 metre-long bus to carry 50 passengers, up from the existing 40, easing standing travel, particularly on crowded rural and semi-urban routes.

“Passengers were forced to travel standing in the gangway. At least they now will get a place to sit and travel comfortably,” one MSRTC official noted.

While the 2x2 layout introduced in 2008 under the “Parivartan” rebranding offered more spacious seating, officials admit it fell short during peak demand.

The added seating is expected to particularly benefit women and elderly commuters, whose presence on buses has risen sharply since the government introduced subsidised and free travel for them.

MSRTC operates the country’s largest state-run fleet with around 15,000 buses, 12,500 of which are ordinary buses.

The new 3x2 buses are expected to hit the roads in a few months.

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