Latest news with #Shivshahi
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
MSRTC begins conversion of Shivshahi AC buses into part of regular Hirkani fleet
Pune: The ( ) has started the process of converting its once popular and premier Shivshahi bus fleet into regular buses, with the entire fleet conversion set to take two years to execute, officials told TOI. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These semi-luxury air-conditioned buses, first introduced in 2017 and initially hugely popular, are now infamous for technical problems resulting in multiple breakdowns and road accidents. "The conversion work has started, and these buses are being given the normal look of MSRTC's Hirkani buses. In fact, the Shivshahi buses will be converted into regular Hirkani buses, which are non-AC, and will be released on different routes. The whole process to convert all the buses will take around two years," Abhijit Bhosle, public relations officer with the state transport body, told TOI. Another official said that at present, seven buses are in the process of getting converted. "Once they are changed, they will be operated for some time for checks, following which we will move ahead. The Shivshahi fleet consists of a total of 790 buses, and they all will be changed to regular buses in a phased manner. By the end of this year, we expect to change around 40-45 Shivshahi buses into Hirkani ones," the official said. Amit Dhotre, a middle-aged working professional who uses MSRTC services, questioned the plan. "How and why has MSRTC not been able to maintain these buses? They were a huge hit, and the fares were pocket-friendly for people who wanted to travel in AC buses. Then, right after the pandemic, the buses started having so many issues and problems. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now If MSRTC is spending crores of rupees in procurement of e-buses, what is stopping them from maintaining the Shivshahi fleet? Converting them into regular buses must be costing more money than what is needed for proper repairs and maintenance," he said. Darshan Kayande posted a video on online platform X on Saturday, showing rainwater entering a Shivshahi bus. "We pay 15% more fare than a normal MSRTC bus for this type of luxury," he wrote. Sources in the state transport body said that the focus of state govt is currently on e-buses. However, converting these Shivshahi buses into e-buses would have been too costly. So, as they can still operate, they are being altered into regular buses," another official told TOI. While commuters were unhappy about the plan for Shivshahi buses, they expressed relief that the 'Shivneri Sundari' plan — wherein MSRTC had planned hostesses in Shivneri buses between Pune and Mumbai — was scrapped, citing that this was another waste of funds. Confirming the cancellation, PRO Bhosle said, "The plan has been scrapped for now." Commuter Rahul Parashar, who travels between the two cities often, said, "It is good that they are not going ahead with the hostess plan. There are more pressing and urgent issues MSRTC needs to deal with at present — the foremost being increasing the fleet size."
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
MSRTC to shut down loss-making routes, add 150 new buses to city fleet
In a major revamp aimed at improving its financial position, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Pune division is set to discontinue operations on loss-making routes. This key decision is part of a broader route restructuring strategy to maximise revenue and operational efficiency. By the end of the current year, 150 new buses will be inducted into the Pune division's fleet. (HT) Alongside the closure of unprofitable services, new CNG and electric buses will be deployed on long-distance and high-demand routes, while existing old buses will be gradually phased out. By the end of the current year, 150 new buses will be inducted into the Pune division's fleet. This restructuring comes in the wake of a white paper on MSRTC operations presented by Maharashtra Transport Minister, Pratap Sarnaik. Acting on the findings, the Pune division has begun evaluating its existing routes, focusing on profitability and demand. Arun Siya, MSRTD Pune divisional controller, said, 'Loss-making routes are being identified and will be shut down. We are focusing on long-distance and revenue-generating routes by deploying more efficient CNG and electric buses.' Currently, the Pune division manages 14 depots and 42 bus stations across the city and district, with a fleet of around 850 buses, including 64 electric 'Shivai' buses, 36 Volvo 'Shivshahi' luxury buses, and 200 CNG buses. 'A total of 70 new buses have already been deployed for long-distance services from various depots, and the remaining will be added in phases throughout the year. We are also preparing a revised timetable that prioritises high-demand routes while optimising costs related to driver-conductor wages, maintenance, and peak-season traffic,' said Siya. In the financial year 2024-25, buses from Swargate and Shivajinagar depots alone generated ₹ 55 crore in monthly revenue. The goal is to raise this figure to ₹ 65 crore through this restructuring plan. 'This reorganisation is essential to reduce operational losses and enhance public service delivery. Non-viable routes will no longer be continued,' Siya added.
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
MSRTC to establish e-charging infra at 196 added ST depots across Maha
In keeping with the recently implemented electric vehicle (EV) policy, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is primed to establish electric charging infrastructure at 196 additional state transport (ST) bus depots across Maharashtra. According to the transport department, e-charging facilities have already been installed at 78 ST bus depots at an expenditure of ₹236.71 crore as of April 2025. The work to operationalise similar facilities at another 118 locations is currently in advanced stages. This initiative is part of the state's broader strategy to address environmental concerns and the impact of climate change by promoting electric mobility. Under the EV policy, special emphasis is being placed on building the necessary infrastructure in both urban and rural areas, as well as along major highways. As per the directives, each bus depot, ST stand, and halt under MSRTC is to be equipped with at least one fast-charging station. As per the information shared by the MSRTC, the latter conducted a survey of 251 ST- depots and 565 stands and identified 196 key locations in regions including Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Amravati for the implementation of EV charging facilities. The work at these stations has been entrusted to a private company. Financially, the state government allocated ₹300 crore for the fiscal year 2023–24 and ₹85 crore for 2024–25 totalling ₹385 crore to support this initiative. Out of this, ₹236.71 crore has already been spent to complete the first phase involving 78 bus depots. Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said, 'The charging points are being strategically set up at bus stations that handle high traffic and long-distance routes, where electric buses (e-buses) are already in operation. The state is preparing for a rise in the number of e-buses in the MSRTC's fleet by planning the necessary infrastructure in advance.' 'Initially, the charging infrastructure being developed by the contracted companies was meant exclusively for existing e-buses in MSRTC's fleet including models such as the e-Shivai, Shivshahi and e-Shivneri,' he said. However in a forward-looking decision, Sarnaik has instructed that the infrastructure be upgraded to accommodate e-buses from various manufacturers that may be inducted in future. This move aims to ensure flexibility and long-term utility of the state's growing EV
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Revoke 5,510 e-buses contract: Min
MUMBAI: State transport minister Pratap Sarnaik directed officials of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to cancel the contract for procuring 5510 electric vehicles (EV) on lease from Evey Trans Pvt Ltd, a sister company of Olectra Geentech Ltd, if the company fails to deliver around 1000 EV buses by mid-July, as promised earlier. Sarnaik said this on Monday in a meeting with MSRTC officials while reviewing the progress of procuring EVs on lease. The minister was irked by the company shifting the deadline for the delivery repeatedly in the past. The company first reneged on its promise to deliver 1000 buses by December 2024, requesting an extension till May 2025 which was further pushed to July 2025. It was also discussed in the meeting that till date MSRTC had received only 240 buses from the company of the 5510 buses. 'Not a single unit of the around 1000 buses have been supplied yet. If they fail in their promise again, cancel the contract for all 5150 buses with the company,' Sarnaik said in the meeting. Sarnaik also asked MSRTC to convert the existing Shivshahi buses gradually into Hirkani buses – the latter falls in the semi-luxury segment. He said that these buses should be painted in green and white colours, so that passengers can easily identify them.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Maha minister instructs cancellation of electric bus contract due to supplier inactivity
Mumbai: The company responsible for supplying 5,150 electric buses on a lease basis has proven to be inactive, and action should be taken to cancel the tender contract made by the ST Corporation with this company, instructed transport minister and MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik. He was speaking at a review meeting held at the corporation headquarters on Monday. Sarnaik said that the supplier was given a revised schedule to deliver 1,000 buses by May 22. However, the company failed to supply even a single bus within this timeframe. "This raises doubts about the company's ability to supply buses in the future. At a time when the corporation urgently needs buses, if the supplier cannot deliver on time, the tender contract with this company should be cancelled," he said. The existing Shivshahi buses operated by the ST Corporation should be gradually reconstructed and converted into Hirkani (semi-luxury) buses, the minister suggested at the meeting. "These buses should be painted in the traditional green and white colours, as they were previously," he said. He further said that during visits to various bus stations across the state, he observed severe negligence regarding cleanliness. There have been frequent complaints from passengers, especially female passengers, in this regard. "Once flaws are pointed out, action must be taken by holding the responsible officials accountable. If such negligent officials are being shielded, it will not be tolerated under any circumstances," he added.
