Maharashtra to add 200 Volvo buses to ST fleet, says transport minister

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, known as ST, is preparing a major upgrade to its long-distance services. To draw back passengers who have been shifting to private bus operators, the corporation will soon add 200 modern, air-conditioned Volvo buses to its fleet. Transport minister and ST Corporation chairman Pratap Sarnaik announced the new plan.

Sarnaik said the corporation will soon induct 200 modern, air-conditioned Volvo buses that will combine safety, comfort, modern technology and quality passenger service. He noted that this is the first time such a large number of Volvo buses are being added to the ST fleet at once.

According to Sarnaik, many passengers currently prefer private luxury bus services for long journeys despite paying higher fares. Air-conditioning, comfortable seating, shorter travel time and night travel options have created a distinct segment of passengers for private operators. To win these passengers back, the corporation aims not just to offer an alternative but to match private luxury bus services in modernity, reliability and meeting passenger expectations.

For journeys of more than 250 kilometres lasting at least five to six hours, 45-seat comfort buses will be deployed, while 30- or 45-seat sleeper buses will be provided for long night journeys, giving passengers travel options suited to both daytime and overnight needs.

A key feature of the new comfort bus service is that passengers will be able to book tickets easily through their mobile phones. Besides ST's own online booking system, the corporation intends to make tickets for these buses available through private digital travel apps as well, so passengers will not need to visit a station to buy tickets and can check bus timings, routes and seat availability from home.

To ensure passengers get high-end service and not just a comfortable bus, the corporation will take help from a private agency to manage hospitality arrangements on the new Volvo buses. Trained staff will handle passenger welcome, basic amenities, cleanliness, information and overall service management.

The corporation will study routes within Maharashtra as well as to other states where demand for private luxury bus services is high. A survey of competing routes will be carried out based on passenger numbers, demand, existing services, route distance, travel time and economic viability, after which routes for the new Volvo and sleeper buses will be finalised.

Minister Pratap Sarnaik said this step is an important milestone in making the corporation's commitment to passenger service broader and more modern. He said ST's strength lies in its network reaching every corner of the state and the trust of its passengers, and the plan seeks to combine that trust with modern facilities, digital booking and good hospitality service to set new standards in long-distance passenger service.