E-Shivneri buses on Pune-Mumbai route praised by passengers, especially women.

Maharashtra Launches E-Shivneri Buses on Pune-Mumbai Route with Positive Feedback from Passengers, Particularly Women

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has launched e-Shivneri buses on the Pune-Mumbai route, with eight buses currently operational out of the proposed 14. According to MSRTC officials, e-bus fares are the same as regular Shivneri buses, with a 50% concession available for all female passengers.

Passengers have reported a positive experience, with Prajakta Dharmadhikari, a banker, stating that she had a pleasant journey with concessional rates for all women on board. Vilas Deshmukh, a Katraj resident, added that the e-Shivneri bus was not slower than the regular bus, even in the ghat section.

The e-Shivneri buses can accommodate 45 passengers at a time and ride smoothly on the road, not very different from the diesel variant. The battery takes approximately 2-2.5 hours to charge, providing a 450 km runtime. Drivers have reported a positive overall impression of the buses.

The e-Shivneri buses are regarded as a key step towards reducing carbon emissions and offering a more convenient travel experience while minimizing environmental impact. As reported previously, CM Eknath Shinde will in the upcoming days provide electric Shivneri buses on the Mumbai-Thane-Pune route.

Kailas Patil, district transport officer, said that Buses leave Pune and Thane depots at hourly intervals, and Swargate bus depot has a charging station for these electric buses. Six more buses will be added to the fleet soon, which will increase frequency.

The e-bus service has received positive feedback from passengers, with plans to initiate an e-bus service from Pune to Dadar and Borivali in the near future. As part of the launch, CM Shinde stressed the importance of public transport and its role in providing affordable, high-quality transportation options.