MSRTC's Shivneri Bus Service Set for Statewide Expansion with New Fleet
Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is embarking on a significant expansion of its premium Shivneri bus service, long favored for inter-city travel on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. The corporation has initiated a tender process to procure 200 new technologically advanced Volvo buses, which includes 30 sleeper coaches, to scale operations beyond the Mumbai–Pune corridor.
New Routes and Sleeper Coaches to Enhance Connectivity
According to a senior official, the sleeper coaches are likely to be introduced on routes such as Mumbai–Panjim, Mumbai–Bengaluru, and Mumbai–Nagpur in the near future. Once the 200 Volvo buses are added to the fleet, MSRTC aims to deploy Shivneri services on multiple high-demand inter-city routes across Maharashtra, offering a uniform premium standard of road travel.
Proposed routes for the next phase include:
- Nashik–Pune
- Nashik–Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
- Nashik–Jalgaon–Dhule
- Pune–Kolhapur
- Pune–Sangli
- Pune–Solapur
- Nagpur–Chandrapur
- Nagpur–Amravati–Akola
This expansion is expected to improve connectivity between major commercial, educational, and administrative centers, providing a reliable alternative to private operators.
Focus on Comfort and Safety with Sleeper Services
Of the 200 buses planned, 30 will be sleeper coaches, branded as "Sleeper Shivneri." These services will be introduced on routes where non-air-conditioned sleeper buses currently operate, offering bed-coach comfort, upgraded safety features, and modern onboard technology for longer journeys.
Positive Response to Eco-Friendly Initiatives
Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik highlighted the strong passenger response to MSRTC's electric "e-Shivneri" services, which are currently operating on key corridors like Dadar–Swargate, Dadar–Shivajinagar, Borivali–Swargate, Borivali–Shivajinagar, Thane–Swargate, and Thane–Shivajinagar. He noted that the eco-friendly fleet has helped broaden the appeal of the Shivneri brand among daily and weekend travelers.
Continued Concessions for Passengers
The minister reiterated that existing concessions will remain in place. Women passengers and senior citizens aged 65 to 75 receive a 50% fare concession, while those above 75 travel free on Shivneri services, ensuring accessibility for all.
