Officials from the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) revealed on Saturday that the public sector undertaking has taken significant strides over the past year to shift from a loss-making status towards profitability. They highlighted multiple initiatives driving this positive change.
New Buses and Infrastructure Upgrades
RSRTC has inducted 1,500 new buses into its fleet, enhancing service capacity across the state. Additionally, about 60 bus stands throughout Rajasthan are undergoing renovations using Budget funds. These upgrades aim to improve cleanliness, safety, and passenger amenities, creating a more pleasant travel experience.
Innovative Services and Passenger Comfort
The corporation has rolled out services like Gramin Sewa, focusing on rural connectivity. It has also introduced an on-board food-serving facility in premium services on selected routes. Furthermore, RSRTC is in the process of installing LED screens for passenger entertainment, adding a touch of class to journeys.
Gramin Sewa: A Revenue-Generating Model
Shubhra Singh, chairperson of RSRTC, emphasized that Gramin Sewa represents a key innovation. Instead of subsidizing inefficiencies, RSRTC experimented with incentivizing performance and operational discipline. This approach has formed a win-win collaboration with service providers.
The scheme, initially expected to cost Rs 21 per km to the exchequer, has been turned around and now generates revenue of Rs 7 per km. Rural connectivity, which long depended on irregular private operators, now has a dependable public option with sustainable financial logic. Singh noted that the new model is gaining traction and will be scaled up in the coming months.
Financial Improvements and Future Plans
Officials cited stringent measures to curb revenue leakages, leading to a significant increase in earnings per kilometre. Earnings rose from Rs 30/km in the pre-Covid era to Rs 43/km last year. For the first time in years, salaries were paid on time, month after month, which trade unions publicly acknowledged as an improvement.
Singh added, "For the first time in many years, passengers in Rajasthan are seeing choice, comfort, and class—without compromising affordability. Even as these improvements roll out, RSRTC has moved to the next frontier: the tender process for electric buses is underway, which will enable a modern future fleet."
