Mumbai: In a significant push to modernise public transport across Maharashtra, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on Sunday finalised the tendering process for the procurement of 5,000 new ‘Lal Pari’ buses across the state, including Mumbai metropolitan region.The move aims to deliver a safer, more reliable and comfortable travel experience to millions of daily commuters, a senior official said.Over 5,000 buses are scheduled to be scrapped over the next six months as they complete their operational lifespans. Currently, the corporation is compelled to operate 12- to 14-year-old patched-up vehicles, causing frequent en route breakdowns, commuter distress and severe strain on drivers. The induction of the new fleet will directly address these issues, eliminating leaking roofs and sudden mechanical failures.This procurement follows the recent induction of 2,640 ‘Lal Pari’ buses with 2×2 seating, along with the ongoing rollout of 3,000 ‘Rajmata Jijau’ buses featuring 3×2 seating configurations. Together, these acquisitions are revitalising the state transport service into a younger and more capable network.Transport minister and MSRTC chairperson Pratap Sarnaik confirmed that Tata Motors emerged as the lowest bidder in the competitive process. Emphasising passenger standards, Sarnaik assured that vehicle quality and safety will remain entirely uncompromised under the partnership.The state transport network, long regarded as the vital lifeline of rural Maharashtra, has grappled with an ageing fleet.With bus shortages frequently forcing depot managers to cancel rural school routes and overnight halt services, the expanded capacity will unlock a “buses on demand” initiative. Sarnaik indicated that services will be deployed wherever required, appealing to local groups to ensure these requested routes run without running into severe financial deficits.This mega-order represents the final major conventional diesel acquisition for the corporation. MSRTC plans to transition rapidly towards green transit by deploying electric buses at scale in subsequent phases. Connecting students, farmers, women and senior citizens, the latest fleet induction marks a transformative step in elevating public transit accessibility across rural Maharashtra.
