MSRTC to start e-buses on routes to Nashik, Kolhapur

PUNE: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will soon operate electric buses on the Pune-Nashik and Pune-Kolhapur routes.
“The buses, named ‘Shivai’, are expected to ply from early next year. The schedule of these buses will be adjusted with that of the ‘Shivshahi’ , as both are luxury and air-conditioned services,” MSRTC-Pune divisional controller Yamini Joshi said.

“The Swargate depot will operate six buses on the Pune-Kolhapur route, while Kolhapur will have another six vehicles.We will operate nine buses on the Pune-Nashik route. Nashik, on the other hand, will operate an equal number of buses,” Joshi said.
MSRTC vice-chairman and managing director Ranjit Singh Deol told TOI that the state transport body had sent a proposal to the government for subsidy to operate 50 electric buses.
“We will buy 100 more buses and the final order will be soon placed with the manufacturer. It takes some time for these buses to arrive. The approach to the services will become more concentrated once the buses roll out on the routes,” he said.
“Pune is expected to be the hub of these buses, for which there will be proper infrastructure development,” Deol said.
The MSRTC recently conducted a trial run of the e-buses on the Pune-Mumbai route. “The Central Institute of Road Transport has given a green signal to the technical specification of the buses. Once fully charged, an e-bus can cover a distance of 300km,” an official said.
The e-buses for the inter-city services would be in the first phase provided to depots in cities such as Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Kolhapur and Mumbai. “Work on setting up of the charging stations in these cities will soon start,” the official said.
The MSRTC had a few months ago awarded the contract to a private party for suppling the e-buses. The vehicles will operate within a radius of 250km and will be fully air-conditioned. At present, the MSRTC has 20,000 diesel-operated buses in its fleet. The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited is operating 150 e-buses within the city and is in the process of acquiring more vehicles.