Mumbai: Minister Bharat Gogawale on Wednesday announced in Nagpur that the MSRTC will get 3,500 new ‘Lal Pari’ buses, as the ordinary red buses are called, across the state in the New Year.
While 2,200 buses will be purchased by the state bus corporation, the remaining 1,300 will be taken on wet lease from private contractors.
Currently, there is a significant shortage of buses in the MSRTC fleet. The fleet now has 14,000 buses, whereas before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2018, there were as many as 18,000 buses.
“In 2025, we want to provide good and quality passenger services to the common people of Maharashtra,” Gogawale, who is also the MSRTC chairperson, told mediapersons.
The MSRTC plans to increase fares by around 15%.
“Due to the pandemic and other reasons over the past three-four years, ST was unable to purchase new buses. As a result, many of the existing buses became old and prone to breakdowns. Additionally, due to the shortage of buses, it is not possible to provide extra bus trips for passengers,” the minister said.
After the new buses arrive, the bus corporation will have a fleet of 17,500 for around 55 lakh daily commuters. “This will also reduce complaints from passengers about buses breaking down on the road and having to wait for hours,” Gogawale said.
