Coronavirus Pune: How MSRTC played multiple roles during pandemic

Pune: In the span of 20 days amid the coronavirus lockdown, the Red Bus known as ‘Laal Pari’ in Marathi from the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) fleet has not only plied through Maharashtra but turned to be the first in travelling long distance inter-state. It has benefited more than 50,000 citizens stuck in Pune. The MSRTC buses also played a big role in transporting essential service goods too.

The state transport buses were asked to stop its services amid the spread of the infection due to which many citizens were stranded in the city including students, labourers, migrant workers and others.

MSRTC buses were asked to stop ferrying on March 25. Later on May 5, the Central and State Government permitted to transport, and from May 10 the stranded people from Pune were ferried to their hometowns.

In Pune district, these red buses not only ply passengers from 13 talukas but considering the geographical location of Pune city especially having good connecting station points such as Swargate, Shivajinagar, Pune Station and Pimpri Chinchwad helped out to reach fast and run the function smoothly.

Apart from plying in the State, the buses made their journeys to the States including Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Over 1600 citizens have been benefited. 

Considering Pune as an educational hub, a lot of students were restless about not being able to go to their respective homes. A total of 30 special buses operated for the students from various areas such as Palghar, Ahmednagar, Satara, Kolhapur, Jalgaon and others. 

More than 750 students have been benefited. Around 800 passengers boarded 30 buses for Nandurbar, Dhule, Yawatmal and other districts in Maharashtra.

Speaking to Sakal Times, Yamini Joshi, MSRTC’s Pune division Controller said, “It was a big challenge to us to start the bus services in this lockdown, but we are proud to say we are successful in this task. The entire credit of this achievement goes to our staff members, drivers and conductors who showed courage and stood by us to serve people. This has also helped in maintaining our State transport bus reputation positive.”

Speaking of the few students who were benefited Kiran Wagh and Sonya Shinde said, “The bus driver and conductor took our care. We were not asked to pay any amount, and they also helped us with snacks and meals. It was safe to travel, and we all were cautioned and asked to sit with social distancing. We are thankful to MSRTC for such service given to us in this lockdown.”