MSRTC decides to extend its smart card scheme till September 30

In recent developments, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has decided to extend its smart card scheme till September 30.

According to sources, this has brought great relief to the senior citizens as well as the beneficiaries. With the spike in cases of coronavirus across Mumbai, the MSRTC has decided to extend the smart card scheme which is required for travel concessions. On Tuesday, March 30, Transport Minister Anil Parab announced this extension.

Meanwhile, the MSRTC has informed that the process of issuing smart cards to senior citizens and other concessionaires is underway in every MSRTC depot. However, due to the pandemic, it is not possible for several passengers to come to the depot to get a smart card and to provide information about the same in person at the depot. Therefore, in the areas where ST buses are running, the concessions will be applicable to the passengers as before.

The Government of Maharashtra, through the corporation, offers concessional fares from 33 per cent to 100 per cent to about 29 different social groups.

On the other hand, the MSRTC had earlier decided to add 800 new buses. Moreover, a tender has been issued regarding the same which is to include 150 air-conditioned sleeper buses and 100 buses running on electricity. According to sources, the MSRTC has 15,800 buses in its fleet, most of which are red coloured vehicles. The number of buses in ST's fleet has decreased due to the non-purchase of new ones in the last one and a half years.