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MSRTC will add 8,000 new buses to its fleet by 2026, according to Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik. Tenders for 3,000 buses are already completed, with work orders issued to Tata and Ashok Leyland, while procurement for the remaining 5,000 buses is in progress. The state has also allocated INR 2,893 crore through a supplementary budget to clear long-pending staff dues and ensure timely monthly salaries. MSRTC will recruit 2,500 drivers on contract and continue working on its long-term plan to shift completely to electric buses by 2047.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is moving ahead with its plan to add 8,000 new buses to its fleet by 2026. Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik shared that the tender process for 3,000 of these buses has been completed, with work orders issued to Tata and Ashok Leyland. The remaining 5,000 buses are currently going through the procurement process, and the corporation expects the entire lot to be on the road during 2026. Advertisement
To support this expansion, the state government has allocated INR 2,893 crore through a supplementary budget. This allocation will help MSRTC clear its pending dues, address long-standing staff payments, and ensure that monthly salaries reach employees before the seventh of each month. The minister also mentioned that MSRTC will hire 2,500 drivers on a contract basis to manage the increased bus movement and maintain service frequency.
MSRTC today operates close to 15,000 buses and serves nearly six million passengers daily across Maharashtra. Before the pandemic, the corporation had a larger fleet of around 18,000 buses. Over the past year, MSRTC also outlined a broader five-year plan to procure 25,000 buses, including diesel, hybrid, and cleaner fuel options such as CNG and LNG.
The corporation continues to face financial stress. A recently released white paper showed cumulative losses of more than INR 10,324 crore in FY24. The report pointed out that unpaid dues of over INR 3,500 crore are still pending, including provident fund arrears, gratuity, taxes, and fuel bills.
Despite these challenges, MSRTC is working toward long-term improvements. The transport body has set a target of fully transitioning to electric buses by 2047. The current procurement plan is expected to stabilise operations while also preparing the system for a gradual shift to cleaner and more efficient public transport.
Source PTI
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