Shivneri Bus service to expand beyond Mumbai and Pune: Sarnaik

The lsquoShivnerirsquo bus service of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation MSRTC will soon operate beyond the MumbaiPune route an official statement said on WednesdayState Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik announced that the premium service long known as the ldquoqueenrdquo of the MumbaiPune highway will now connect several major cities across MaharashtraLaunched in 2002 the Shivneri service has earned a reputation for punctuality comfortable seating and safe travel Despite slightly higher fares compared to ordinary bus services it has consistently received strong support from passengers particularly middleclass travellersAccording to the minister the service has remained profitable due to its reliability and quality standards200 new Volvo buses to be addedTo support the statewide expansion MSRTC has begun the tender process to purchase 200 new technologically advanced Volvo buses Once inducted into the fleet these buses will operate on key intercity routes across MaharashtraThe proposed routes include NashikPune NashikChhatrapati Sambhajinagar NashikJalgaonDhule PuneKolhapur PuneSangli PuneSolapur NagpurChandrapur NagpurAmravatiAkolaStrong response to eShivneri services State transport ministryAn official statement issued by the state transport ministry said at present ecofriendly eShivneri buses operate on routes such as DadarSwargate DadarShivajinagar BorivaliSwargate BorivaliShivajinagar ThaneSwargate and ThaneShivajinagarThese electric buses have received an encouraging response from commuters reflecting growing demand for environmentally friendly transport optionsWomen passengers and senior citizens aged between 65 and 75 receive a 50 per cent discount on fares Senior citizens above 75 years of age can travel free of charge on Shivneri servicesThe minister expressed confidence that the new routes would also receive a strong public response due to these concessionsIntroduction of sleeper Shivneri busesOut of the 200 new buses 30 will be sleeper coaches These lsquoSleeper Shivnerirsquo buses will replace existing nonairconditioned sleeper services on certain longdistance routes the statement saidWith modern technology enhanced safety features and comfortable bedcoach facilities the sleeper buses aim to offer a superior experience for overnight travellersSarnaik said the expansion of the Shivneri service marks not just growth in public transport but also a new direction in Maharashtrarsquos evolving and dynamic travel culture