Modern facilities for passengers, from online booking to quality hospitality services
Mumbai, September 2026: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), a trusted mode of public transport connecting people from rural areas to cities across Maharashtra, is preparing to take a major step forward in the long-distance comfortable travel segment.
To attract passengers who currently prefer private luxury bus services, the corporation will soon add 200 state-of-the-art, air-conditioned Volvo buses to its fleet. The new service will combine safety, comfort, modern technology and quality passenger services, Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik said. He added that this would be the first time that such a large number of Volvo buses would be inducted into the MSRTC fleet.
Sarnaik said many passengers currently prefer private luxury buses for long-distance journeys despite paying higher fares. Air-conditioning, comfortable seating, reduced travel time and facilities for overnight journeys have created a separate passenger segment for private luxury bus operators.
He said the MSRTC aims not merely to provide passengers with another travel option, but to offer a modern, reliable service capable of matching private luxury buses and meeting changing passenger expectations.
Comfortable Day Travel and Sleeper Facilities at Night
For journeys of more than 250 km and lasting at least five to six hours, comfortable 45-seater buses will be introduced. For long-distance overnight journeys, buses with 30 or 45 sleeper berths will also be made available.
This will provide passengers travelling during both the day and night with options suited to their individual requirements.
Mobile Ticket Booking and Reservations Through Private Apps
One of the key features of the new luxury bus service will be easy digital booking. Along with MSRTC's official online reservation system, the corporation plans to make tickets available through private digital travel platforms as well.
Passengers will therefore not need to visit a bus station to purchase tickets. They will be able to check bus timings, routes and seat availability on their mobile phones and make reservations from home.
The digital ticketing system is expected to integrate MSRTC's luxury bus services more effectively with the modern passenger transportation ecosystem.
Private Agency to Manage Hospitality Services
To provide passengers with more than just comfortable buses and offer a high-end travel experience, MSRTC plans to engage a private agency to manage hospitality services on the new Volvo buses.
Trained personnel will be deployed for passenger reception, maintaining basic facilities on board, cleanliness, providing necessary information and managing passenger services.
This initiative will bring modern concepts of hospitality and customer service alongside MSRTC's traditional passenger services, with the aim of providing travellers with a more comfortable and quality experience.
Comprehensive Study of High-Demand Routes
MSRTC will conduct a comprehensive study of routes in Maharashtra as well as inter-state routes where private luxury bus services currently witness strong demand.
The survey will consider passenger numbers, travel demand, existing services, route distance, journey duration and financial viability. Routes will subsequently be identified for the deployment of the new Volvo and sleeper buses.
A New Chapter in Comfortable Travel for the ‘Lalpari’
Sarnaik said the initiative marks an important step towards giving a broader and more modern dimension to MSRTC's motto of “For the service of passengers.”
The strength of MSRTC, he said, lies in its extensive network reaching every corner of the state and the trust it enjoys among passengers. By combining this trust with modern facilities, digital reservation systems and quality hospitality services, the corporation aims to establish new standards in long-distance passenger transportation.
The introduction of the new Volvo buses will bring greater modernisation to MSRTC services, offering passengers a combination of comfort, safety, reliability and digital convenience.
With modern technology, quality facilities and the trust associated with the ST, the iconic ‘Lalpari’ is now preparing to enter a new phase of long-distance travel with a new look and enhanced passenger experience.
