Maharashtra ST to Add 200 AC Volvo Buses; Sleeper Coaches Planned for Overnight Routes
Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will add 200 air-conditioned Volvo buses to its fleet, including 30 sleeper buses for overnight long-distance travel, Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik announced in Mumbai.
The new buses are being introduced to attract passengers using private luxury bus services, particularly on long-distance routes. Sarnaik said this will be the first time that Volvo buses are being added to the ST fleet on such a large scale.
The corporation plans to operate 45-seater Volvo buses on routes of more than 250 km involving journeys of at least five to six hours. Sleeper buses, with a capacity of 30 or 45 berths, are planned for overnight long-distance routes.
Passengers will be able to book tickets through ST’s official online reservation system as well as private digital travel platforms.
MSRTC also plans to take the assistance of a private agency for hospitality management on board the new Volvo buses.
Before deciding where the buses will operate, the corporation will study routes within Maharashtra as well as inter-state routes where private luxury bus services currently see high passenger demand.
