The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) faced a financial crisis due to lockdown being imposed to control the outbreak of coronavirus. Even after the Unlock 1.0 announced by the state government in June, the State Corporation (ST) buses did not witness an increase in the number of daily passengers. As a result, bus services continued to suffer a huge loss.
Later, during Diwali, the State Transport (ST) Corporation added more than 1000 special services on a daily basis to attract more passengers, in order to generate revenue. As a result, the corporation witnessed an increase in the revenue in the last 10 days. A total of ₹110 crore has been deposited in the treasury of the corporation in 10 days from November 11.
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Meanwhile, from November 1 to 10, an average of 13,38,000 passengers had travelled in 10,500 buses every day. Therefore, a daily income of ₹7, 50,00,000 was deposited in the treasury of ST. On the occasion of Diwali, as ST Corporation started releasing 1000 extra buses every day from November 11, a good response from commuters generated an income of ₹3-3.5 crore on daily basis.
The fear of COVID19 has kept the passengers away from the ST bus services, as, before the lockdown, around 64 lakh passengers travelled through ST every day, which brought an income of ₹22 crore.
Moreover, with the commencement of IX to XII standard classes in some areas, an increase in the number of ST commuters and income is expected. The corporation is also arranging services for students as per the demand of the management.