Bus Fleet Woes: Maharashtra, Pune Struggle To Meet Soaring Passenger Demand—Here’s The Plan To Improve Public Transport

Maharashtra’s public bus transport sector continues to grapple with soaring passenger demand and stagnant fleet expansion, according to a report by the Times of India.

As per the State Economic Survey Report released last week, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC)’s total bus fleet in FY 2024–25 has shrunk by 200 buses compared to the previous year, while Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) managed to increase its fleet by a mere 55 buses during calendar year 2024.

This comes at a time when average daily passenger traffic rose by 6 per cent for MSRTC and 8 per cent for PMPML, emphasising the growing pressure on public transport infrastructure.

Sanjay Shitole, Secretary of the PMP Pravasi Manch and a daily commuter said, “In one year, PMPML has failed to add even a 100 new buses... Fewer buses topped with growing passenger traffic reflect people's need for new buses and that the existing fleet is not enough.”

While PMPML was initially promised 700 new buses, only 20 have arrived so far. An official revealed, "Some from the 400 rental buses have joined the fleet and 100 more will be added by March end. Tenders for the remaining 300 buses have been floated. We need an additional 2,800 buses for efficient services."

MSRTC, too, is facing similar constraints. "50 new Lal Pari buses have been introduced and around 2,600 will be added in the next eight months," said PRO Abhijit Bhosle.

During the inauguration of its inaugural e-bus in Aug 2023, MSRTC's officials had told that approximately 5,000 e-buses would be included in the fleet in five years.

Also, a proposal to convert 5,000 diesel buses into LNG buses and another 1,000 to CNG was declared. However, though there are only 370 e-buses in the fleet currently, approximately 500 diesel-operated buses are on CNG today.