08-07-2025
Nashik city bus service completes 4 years, sees surge in passengers & routes
Nashik: The civic body has expanded its city bus service to become a vital transport option for the city, as passenger numbers have risen significantly in the four years since operations commenced.
On 8 July 2021, Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) assumed control of the city bus service from the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), initially deploying 27 buses across 11 routes. At that time, the service averaged 5,000 passengers daily and generated a daily income of Rs 1.3 lakh.
Currently, the civic body operates 250 city buses on 60 routes across Nashik. NMC officials said average daily passenger footfall has increased to 70,000, with daily income reaching Rs 21 lakh over the past four years.
A majority of commuters regularly utilise the city bus service, with some opting for buses over personal vehicles to reach their workplaces. Additionally, the number of students obtaining bus passes at concessional rates has grown in recent months. "I am using the city bus service for a few months instead of using my vehicle as the city bus service is effective. One can also track the location of the bus, which saves time as you can leave for the office accordingly," said Rakesh Desle, who works for a private company.
The bus service is managed by NMC's transport wing, Nashik Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (NMPML).
NMPML operates 250 buses across the city through two private agencies on a procure, operate and maintain basis. In addition to the 60 urban routes, NMC runs city buses in rural areas such as Trimbakeshwar, Pimpalgaon, Sinnar, Ozar, Sayyad Pimpri, Mohadi, and Saikheda, among other nearby rural destinations, covering approximately 27 bus terminals, two bus depots, and 1,440 bus stops.
