Latest news with #e-Shivneri
Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Now get 15% off on MSRTC bus tickets with advance booking
Passengers travelling over 150 km on Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses are now eligible for a 15 per cent fare cut if they book tickets in advance. The scheme, which is only for full-fare tickets and not for concessional tickets, was rolled out on Tuesday. According to the MSRTC, the scheme will be applicable all year round, except for peak seasons like Diwali and summer vacation. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who is also chairman of the MSRTC, initially announced the decision on June 1, which was the 77th foundation day of the transport corporation. The step is intended to promote advance booking and enhance operational planning during off-peak times. The reduction will apply to all kinds of buses operated by the MSRTC, but only for full-fare paying passengers. The scheme will also be implemented during the upcoming Ashadhi Ekadashi and Ganesh festival seasons. Passengers on ordinary MSRTC buses going to Pandharpur for Ashadhi Ekadashi and going to Konkan for the Ganesh festival can avail of the 15 per cent fare concession with advance booking. However, the concession will not be available for additional buses operated to meet festival demand. The e-Shivneri service, running between Pune and Mumbai, also falls under the scheme. To enjoy the facility, passengers need to book their tickets in advance either from MSRTC's booking counters, through the official website, or through the MSRTC app. Sarnaik has urged eligible passengers to avail of the scheme where possible. While the measure is aimed at encouraging planning and providing some travel cost relief, it will also enable the MSRTC to maximise its services during off-peak times.
News18
01-07-2025
- News18
Good News For Shivneri, Maharashtra Bus Travellers: 15% Discount On Advance Bookings From July 1
Last Updated: Shivneri, Maharashtra Bus Travellers: Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik said discount will apply to long, medium-distance routes covering journeys over 150 km In welcome relief for thousands of long-distance bus travellers across Maharashtra, starting July 1. the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will offer a 15% discount on ticket fares for passengers who book their tickets in advance. Announcing the new scheme, State Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik said the discount will apply to all long and medium-distance routes covering journeys over 150 km. Passengers booking full-fare tickets in advance — excluding concession ticket holders — can avail of this benefit throughout the year. However, the scheme will not be available during the high-demand periods of Diwali and the summer holidays. Minister Sarnaik urged travellers to make the most of this opportunity by planning ahead to save money and avoid last-minute rush. The aim of this scheme is to encourage people to travel during the lean season and ensure better seat occupancy. The 15% discount will be valid for all types of MSRTC buses, including the popular premium e-Shivneri fleet that runs between Mumbai and Pune. Regular commuters on this busy route can especially benefit from booking their tickets early. This move is also good news for festival and pilgrimage travellers. For the upcoming Ashadhi Ekadashi, thousands of devotees from across the state travel to Pandharpur. Passengers who book seats in advance on regular buses will now get a 15% discount. Similarly, people travelling to Konkan for the Ganesh festival — when many return to their hometowns — can also enjoy this benefit on pre-booked tickets. However, the offer will not apply to additional buses run during festival rush periods. Travellers can book discounted tickets easily at MSRTC's ticket counters, through the official website or via the 'MSRTC Bus Reservation' mobile app. Minister Sarnaik expressed confidence that the scheme would help loyal passengers save money while also boosting MSRTC's revenue by ensuring better occupancy during non-peak times. The corporation has urged people to plan their trips wisely and take full advantage of this new offer. First Published: July 01, 2025, 13:35 IST
Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
MSRTC offers 15 per cent discount on advance bookings for Pune-Mumbai e-Shivneri buses
Beginning July 1, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will offer a 15% discount on ticket fares to passengers making advance bookings on long- and medium- distance routes beyond 150 kilometres. The scheme will be applicable to full-fare passengers only, and does not include those travelling under concessional categories. It will be implemented across all categories of MSRTC buses. The announcement was made by state transport minister and MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik who further informed that the scheme will be in effect throughout the year, excluding the busy Diwali and summer vacation periods. The announcement was made by state transport minister and MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik who further informed that the scheme will be in effect throughout the year, excluding the busy Diwali and summer vacation periods. (H) Notably, passengers travelling from Pune to Mumbai on e-Shivneri buses who book full tickets in advance will benefit significantly from this discount. Sarnaik said, 'Passengers commuting on premium routes like Pune to Mumbai by e-Shivneri buses will greatly benefit from this initiative. We want to encourage people to plan their travel in advance, which not only helps them save money but also allows the corporation to manage operations more efficiently. This 15% discount is our way of making public transport more attractive, especially for daily and frequent travellers who rely on MSRTC's dependable services.' Importantly, the discount will also apply to advance bookings for upcoming festivals such as Ashadhi Ekadashi and the Ganpati festival when a large numbers of devotees and holiday travellers undertake long-distance journeys. For instance, passengers booking tickets in advance for regular MSRTC buses headed to Pandharpur for Ashadhi Ekadashi will get a 15% fare reduction starting July 1. However, this discount will not be applicable to special or additional festival buses. Sarnaik said, 'Similarly, passengers travelling to Konkan during the Ganpati festival - a time when many working professionals return to their hometowns - can also avail this discount by reserving their tickets in advance. We urge passengers to take advantage of this scheme and save on travel costs, especially during non-peak travel periods.' Indra Kumar Shinde, a working professional who travels frequently between Pune and Mumbai, said, 'This is a much-needed relief for regular travellers like me. The e-Shivneri buses are reliable and comfortable, but the fares can add up quickly when you are commuting multiple times a week. A 15% discount on advance bookings will definitely help ease the financial burden. It also encourages more people to plan ahead, which can reduce last-minute rush and improve the overall travel experience. I have already started booking my trips in advance to take full advantage of the offer.' The said scheme was originally declared on June 1, during the 77th Foundation Day celebrations of MSRTC, when Sarnaik proposed fare concessions for passengers travelling long distances off season. Meanwhile, the discount can be availed through MSRTC's official website ( at ticket booking counters, or via the 'MSRTC Bus Reservation' mobile application.
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
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Similar facility in state buses but fares differ, complain commuters
Mumbai: Bus aficionado and regular commuter of state buses, Rohit Dhende, on Sunday questioned MSRTC for charging different fares for e-Shivneri and e-Shivai buses when the amenities and comfort provided to commuters were the same in both buses. "Why should one pay different fares just for different brand names and colour of buses?" he asked. He told TOI that the two buses were 12-metre-long CX2 electric coach bus models. "From the passenger's point of view, the comfort level was the same with push-back seats, air-conditioned coach, USB charger, reading lights, etc.," he said. The corporation charges a minimum fare of Rs 23 on blue 'E-Shivneri' buses and Rs 17 for the white and green colour 'E-Shivai', both serving inter-city routes on a wet lease model with similar features, he added. Additional transport commissioner Bharat Kalaskar said transport authority approves fare hikes as per the type of service. "Since you pointed this out, I will check and revert," Kalaskar said. Talking to a news agency, Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said he would not allow any injustice to passengers .tnn & agencies
