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Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
MSRTC to hold drivers, conductors accountable for parcel delays, damages
Amid rising complaints over the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation's (MSRTC) parcel service, the state transport body has announced that bus drivers and conductors will now be held directly responsible for any delays, damages, or loss of parcels during transit. The move is aimed at addressing growing concerns over the efficiency and reliability of MSRTC's parcel operations, which run alongside its passenger transport services. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC) This decision follows a surge in grievances from citizens reporting that parcels sent via MSRTC often arrive late, damaged, or not at all. According to the MSRTC Pune division, the directive was issued by the general manager of planning and marketing to all divisional controllers across the state, instructing the strict implementation of this new accountability framework. The move is aimed at addressing growing concerns over the efficiency and reliability of MSRTC's parcel operations, which run alongside its passenger transport services. 'We have received instructions from the general manager of planning and marketing. All depot managers and the parcel service department have been briefed accordingly, and strict compliance is being ensured,' said Arun Siya, MSRTC Pune divisional controller. In January 2024, the state government appointed a private agency to oversee MSRTC's parcel operations until November 2027. However, despite the partnership, recent months have seen continued complaints of delivery delays, missing packages, damaged items, and parcels being accepted without proper documentation or official receipts. During a recent high-level review meeting, chaired by MSRTC's vice chairman and managing director, it was decided that drivers and conductors would henceforth be held accountable for any discrepancies involving parcels. Officials noted that in the event of a vehicle breakdown, while passengers are usually accommodated on alternate buses, parcels are often left behind. Going forward, staff must ensure that parcels are also transferred appropriately. Additionally, MSRTC squads will now conduct inspections to detect unauthorised parcel movement. Drivers and conductors have been instructed to accept only those parcels accompanied by official receipts issued by the authorised agency, preferably with a valid GST number. Handwritten or unofficial receipts are strictly prohibited. 'I had sent an important set of documents from Pune to Solapur through the MSRTC parcel service. They arrived five days late, and the envelope was torn. When I tried to follow up, no one had a clear answer. It's frustrating — we rely on government services for their reliability,' said Suresh Jagtap, a regular MSRTC commuter.
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
MSRTC Pune division targets ₹65 crore monthly revenue
Pune: After the state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik released the white paper of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on Tuesday, many steps to boost revenue and better passenger facilities are being taken up at the Pune divisional level. MSRTC Pune divisional controller Arun Siya has outlined the division's revenue goals and future strategies to strengthen its financial base. ((PIC FOR REPRESENTATION)) Arun Siya, divisional controller, Pune MSRTC, outlined the division's revenue goals and future strategies to strengthen its financial base. 'Our focus is to raise the monthly revenue from the current ₹ 55 crore to ₹ 65 crore, and we collected ₹ 60 crore in May. We are working to increase the frequency of schedules on key routes, especially to underserved and high-demand areas across the state to boost revenue,' said Siya. 'We have already started operational reviews of existing routes and are optimising schedules to match commuter needs. This includes deploying new buses and ensuring minimum idle time.' he said. MSRTC Pune division has 850 buses, including 64 electric Shivai, 36 Shivshahi Volvo luxury and 200 CNG vehicles. Plans are afoot to induct an additional 120 to 140 diesel buses by the end of the year, and 70 have already been delivered. Siya stated that the Pune division plans to tap into festival and holiday rush traffic, introducing dynamic scheduling, and launching commuter-friendly mobile updates. Meanwhile, MSRTC white paper revealed the public transport utility has accumulated losses amounting to ₹ 10,322.32 crore over the past five decades. Additionally, dues related to employee benefits, including provident fund and gratuity, stand at ₹ 3,297.65 crore.
