MSRTC's bus service for Pune to ply on holidays

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has started a dedicated Sheetal, a semi-luxury air conditioned bus service, for Pune from Vashi and Panvel, especially on the weekends and public holidays.

The bus service, according to the transport authority, will facilitate commuters a hassle-free journey while commuting to Pune.

On weekends, when there are a few seats available in Vashi, the buses will start from Mumbai as well.

The first service, which started on September 28 morning from Vashi, received a warm response from commuters.

More than 70% seats were filled in Vashi itself and remaining on the way to Pune.

“The Sheetal bus service has been started on weekends on experimental basis and after a period, the continuity of the services will be decided depending upon the response,” said Mukund Dhus, public relations officer of MSRTC.

The first service starts at Vashi highway bus stop at 8am on Saturday and Sunday and reaches Swargate in Pune at 10.30am with stoppages en route in Nerul, Konkan Bhavan, Kharghar, Kamothe and Panvel. While coming from Pune, the bus will ply up to Dadar in Mumbai.

The second service starts from Panvel at 3.30pm and reaches Swargate in Pune at 4.45pm. The bus fare is also low compared to private Volvo buses. It is Rs259 from Vashi and Rs216 from Panvel.

“The newly started bus service is a boon for commuters during festival as most of the buses come from Mumbai are crowded and we had to struggle to get seats,” said Namrta Chavan, a resident and a frequent commuter.