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MSRTC to add 700 new buses to its fleet

In recent developments, a tender has been issued for the same which includes 150 non-air-conditioned sleeper and seater buses.

MSRTC to add 700 new buses to its fleet
SHARES

Due to the shortage of buses in the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), it has been decided to introduce 700 new buses. This decision is touted to help the commuters and tackle overcrowding.

Moreover, a tender has been issued for the same which includes 150 non-air-conditioned sleeper and seater buses. According to sources, after Diwali, all these buses will arrive in phases. Meanwhile, MSRTC has a fleet of 15,800 buses, most of which are red-coloured.

The number of buses in the fleet of MSRTC has come down due to the non-purchase of new ones in the last one and a half years. As per reports, all the buses will be in the BS-6 system. It has several buses running on a diesel engine and 50 buses on CNG. In addition, 150 non-air-conditioned buses and seat buses will be acquired.

On the other hand, the MSRTC has decided to install liquefied natural gas or LNG engine in its fleet. Moreover, a proposal regarding the same has been sent to the state government as well for approval. In order to reduce the expenses spent on fuel, on an experimental basis, 3,000 buses will be converted to LNG. Post that, a decision will be made after considering the responses.

In recent developments, the state government has allocated INR 1,400 crores for the purchase of new vehicles. According to sources, using an LNG engine would approximately cost at least INR 1,50,000 per bus. At present, the MSRTC has 16,000 buses in its fleet, which run on diesel only.

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