MSRTC’s big ride ahead: Maharashtra transport body eyes big leap with 8,000-bus expansion

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is preparing for a major expansion, with officials announcing plans to add around 8,000 new buses to its fleet over the next six to eight months. The move is aimed at strengthening public transport across Maharashtra and improving connectivity for millions of daily commuters.

MSRTC officials said deliveries of the new buses will begin from April, with monthly batches of 300–500 vehicles expected to arrive. The phased induction will gradually increase the number of buses on the road and help address shortages faced by depots across the state.

According to the state’s economic survey, MSRTC’s fleet increased only marginally—from 15,710 buses in FY 2024–25 to 16,199 in FY 2025–26. The modest growth highlighted the need for a large-scale fleet expansion to meet rising travel demand.

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The number of buses operating daily also saw a small increase, rising from 14,361 buses in 2024–25 to 14,926 in 2025–26. Transport officials say the addition of thousands of new buses will significantly improve daily service coverage.

Even with a slight rise in the number of buses, daily ridership dropped from 57.45 lakh passengers to 55.90 lakh during the same period. Officials believe improved services and more routes will help bring commuters back to the state-run transport network.

MSRTC spokesperson Abhijit Bhosle said the corporation aims to expand the fleet to 24,000 buses by the end of 2026, significantly strengthening the organisation’s capacity to serve both urban and rural regions of Maharashtra.

MSRTC is also planning to expand its premium Shivneri bus service, traditionally popular on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. Around 200 new Volvo AC buses, including sleeper coaches, are being procured to introduce the service on more high-demand intercity routes.

The Government of Maharashtra has sanctioned Rs 500 crore to MSRTC to compensate for revenue losses from concessional travel schemes, including discounts for women and free travel for senior citizens. Officials say the financial support will help stabilise operations as the corporation expands its fleet.