MSRTC To Roll Out 8,300-Buses By End of 2026, To End ₹1–1.5 Crore Daily Loss

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) plans to induct 8,300 new buses by the end of 2026 as part of a larger 20,000–25,000 bus procurement programme.

The announcement was made by State Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik.

The move aims to eliminate its daily loss of ₹1–1.5 crore by bridging the gap between its ₹34–35 crore daily expenditure and ₹33 crore revenue.

MSRTC also aims to increase daily ridership from the current 50 lakh passengers to 70–75 lakh passengers.

The move comes as the operational fleet, which stood at 18,000–19,000 buses carrying 66 lakh passengers daily before Covid-19, declined to around 12,600 buses by the end of 2024.

“MSRTC is a lifeline for common citizens. However, maintaining equilibrium between expenditure and income is essential. With additional buses, revenue will certainly rise, and the corporation will become financially stable,” Sarnaik said.

MSRTC to Add 8,300 New Buses By 2026 End

The first phase of the state’s long-term plan to procure 20,000–25,000 buses will see 8,300 buses added to the fleet by the end of 2026.

This large-scale induction is aimed at restoring operational strength, improving route frequency and addressing service gaps that emerged over the past few years.

The expansion is expected to significantly enhance fleet availability across both urban and rural divisions.

Optimising Connectivity with Standard and Midi Fleets

Another 5,000 standard buses are in the final stage of tendering, while 100 midi buses will be introduced to improve connectivity in remote and tribal regions.

Additionally, 200 modern buses are planned to compete with private transport operators on premium routes.

High-Capacity Solutions for Intercity Transit

The proposed additions include 3,000 high-capacity 55-seater buses in a 3×2 configuration, scheduled to arrive in phases from March and to be named Rajmata Jijau Saheb, primarily for high-demand intercity routes.

Following the expansion, MSRTC aims to increase daily ridership to 70–75 lakh passengers.

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Boosting Ridership Through Strategic Concessions

Despite the reduced capacity, passenger numbers have gradually recovered due to state concessions, including a 50 per cent fare discount for women and free travel for senior citizens above 75 years.

At present, MSRTC carries nearly 50 lakh passengers daily, though several routes continue to face service shortages.

Restoring the Legacy of the Lalpari

Officials added that expanded rural connectivity, higher intercity frequency and improved accessibility to tribal hamlets are expected to strengthen the statewide network.

With the fleet augmentation underway, the iconic red MSRTC buses popularly known as MSRTC Lalpari are poised for a gradual revival, with the transport department expressing confidence that the undertaking will emerge from its financial crisis within the current year.

Overcoming Pandemic-Induced Disruption

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, MSRTC operated nearly 18,000–19,000 buses and carried about 66 lakh passengers daily.

However, prolonged procurement delays and employee strikes over the past four to five years reduced the operational fleet to around 12,600 buses by the end of 2024.

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Accelerating Financial Renewal

The state government has approved the induction of 8,300 new buses this year in a bid to reverse mounting operational losses and restore service capacity across Maharashtra.

The undertaking is currently incurring a daily deficit of approximately Rs 1–1.5 crore, with expenditure hovering around Rs 34–35 crore against revenue of nearly Rs 33 crore.

Officials believe increasing fleet strength will directly translate into higher ridership and improved earnings.

“More buses will bring more passengers, and higher ridership will automatically improve earnings,” Sarnaik said.