Maharashtra Approves 3,000 High-Capacity Buses to Improve Rural Public Transport

In a decisive policy shift aimed at alleviating passenger congestion and bolstering revenue in its ordinary bus services, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has approved the procurement of 3,000 new buses configured with the traditional 3x2 seating layout—a design it phased out over 15 years ago.

This strategic move, sanctioned by the MSRTC board, comes amid increasing pressure on the state’s public transport system, particularly in rural and semi-urban corridors where overcrowding and standing-room-only conditions have become the norm. The reintroduction of the 3x2 format, which enables a higher seating density, is expected to directly address these operational challenges.

“Previously, our standard buses accommodated between 52 to 55 passengers,” said Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, elaborating on the rationale behind the decision. “The newer 2x2 layout, though more comfortable, reduced seating to just 40. This not only increased the number of buses required per route but also led to a drop in per-trip revenue.

The shift back to a higher-capacity configuration is both a logistical and economic maneuver. Each of the new 11-metre buses will be able to seat 50 passengers, a significant increase from the existing capacity. This is expected to notably reduce instances of standing travel—long criticized by passengers, particularly during peak travel hours. 

“Passengers were forced to travel standing in the gangway. At least they now will get a place to sit and travel comfortably,” an MSRTC official remarked, acknowledging the discomfort regular commuters face.

The decision follows a comparative review by senior MSRTC officials and Minister Sarnaik, who visited Karnataka and Gujarat to observe their transport models. Karnataka’s KSRTC, for instance, continues to successfully operate its semi-luxury services with the 3x2 layout—demonstrating its practical viability even in modern fleets.

Introduced in 2008 as part of the “Parivartan” rebranding campaign, the 2x2 layout aimed to improve comfort and modernize the fleet’s appearance. However, in practice, it proved inadequate in addressing the volume of passengers—particularly in districts where transport demand has surged in recent years.

This seating reconfiguration is also expected to enhance accessibility for women and elderly passengers, whose usage has grown substantially due to the state’s subsidized and free-travel initiatives. By accommodating more seated passengers, the new buses are poised to make public transport not only more efficient, but also more inclusive.

Currently, MSRTC operates one of the largest public bus fleets in the country, with nearly 15,000 vehicles, of which 12,500 are categorized as ordinary buses. The arrival of these new high-capacity models will mark a significant operational milestone.

Deployment of the newly sanctioned buses is slated to begin in the coming months, signalling a renewed focus on pragmatism over presentation in the state’s public transport policy.

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