MSRTC Boosts Mumbai - Pune Bus Services With 200 Extra Daily Trips as Train Cancellations Continue

MSRTC Expands Mumbai - Pune Bus Operations Amid Rail Service Disruptions

Passengers traveling between Mumbai and Pune will have more transportation options this weekend as the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has announced 200 additional daily bus trips to manage the surge in demand caused by ongoing train cancellations.

The decision comes after several Central Railway services were suspended following landslide-related damage in the Karjat - Lonavala ghat section earlier this week. Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the additional buses will help reduce inconvenience for commuters until railway services return to normal.

Along with the extra trips, MSRTC will continue operating its 312 scheduled e-Shivneri premium bus services. Bus depots across the route have also been instructed to deploy more buses whenever passenger demand increases.

Mumbai - Pune Train Services Still Operating at Reduced Capacity

Although Central Railway has made progress in restoring the damaged railway section, normal operations have not yet resumed.

The middle railway line between Monkey Hill and Thakurwadi reopened on July 7 at 10:30 p.m. under a temporary speed limit of 30 kmph, allowing train movement to restart on a limited basis. However, railway authorities continue repair and safety work on the remaining tracks before fully restoring services.

Under normal conditions, nearly 60 trains operate daily on the busy Mumbai - Pune corridor. Currently, only around 30 trains are running, leaving many passengers searching for alternative travel options.

Railway officials have stated that restoration work is continuing, with safety inspections remaining the top priority before all train operations are resumed.

Several Popular Express Trains Remain Suspended

Many of the route's most frequently used passenger trains are still unavailable due to the ongoing repair work.

Services that remain suspended include:

• Deccan Queen
• Sinhagad Express
• Pragati Express
• Indrayani Express
• Pune - CSMT Intercity Express

The cancellations have affected thousands of daily commuters, office workers, students, and business travelers who regularly depend on these trains for fast travel between Mumbai and Pune.

As a result, many passengers have shifted to road transportation, increasing demand for MSRTC buses and private travel services.

Weekend Travel Demand Pushes MSRTC to Add More Buses

According to MSRTC officials, passenger demand remained relatively moderate from Monday through Thursday, with average bus occupancy close to 50%. Some scheduled trips were even canceled because of lower bookings during the week.

However, travel demand increased sharply from Friday as weekend passengers began making bookings.

To meet the growing demand, MSRTC has already introduced six additional Asiad buses, and the newly announced 200 extra daily trips will further strengthen services between Mumbai and Pune.

Officials said the corporation will continue monitoring passenger traffic throughout the weekend and will introduce additional buses if necessary.

Shivneri Premium Service Continues to Be a Preferred Choice

MSRTC currently operates 36 Shivneri premium bus services every day between Mumbai and Pune.

The air-conditioned buses remain popular among travelers because of their comfort, punctuality, and convenient schedules. The current one-way fare for the Shivneri service is ₹510.

Officials say the premium buses continue to record steady occupancy despite the availability of other transportation options.

Landslides Triggered Major Railway Disruptions

The current transportation challenges began after heavy monsoon rains triggered landslides that damaged railway tracks between Karjat and Lonavala on July 6.

The damage forced Central Railway to cancel several daily, long-distance, and special train services while engineering teams carried out restoration work in the sensitive ghat section.

Railway authorities have emphasized that complete restoration will only happen after detailed inspections confirm that all tracks are safe for regular train operations.

MSRTC Ready to Increase Services Further if Needed

MSRTC officials said passenger convenience remains their highest priority during the railway disruption.

Transport authorities confirmed that additional buses can be deployed at short notice if travel demand continues to rise over the coming days. The corporation aims to provide uninterrupted connectivity between Mumbai and Pune until Central Railway fully restores normal train operations.

For now, the expanded bus schedule is expected to provide significant relief for thousands of passengers who continue to face limited railway services due to the ongoing monsoon-related repair work.