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MSRTC starts special tourist bus service in Pune division
Currently, the bus service is available from the major ST stands in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad – Swargate, Shivajinagar and Chinchwad ST stands
As people have started flocking tourist spots in and around the city, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), Pune division, has now started a special bus service in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad areas.
People can avail of the service to travel to Mahabaleshwar, Konkan Darshan, Ashtvinayak Darshan, Bhimashankar, Raigad fort and several other tourist spots.
If there is a good response, MSRTC plans to increase the service to new tourist and pilgrim destinations across the state, said, officials.
“There is a huge rush at Mahabaleshwar, Bhimashankar, Sinhagad fort and several other tourist spots in the district. So, we have started a special bus service to various tourist and pilgrim spots in and around Pune,” said Ramakant Gaikwad, MSRTC Pune divisional controller.
“We need to increase our revenue now, as due to lockdown we ran into huge financial losses,” he said.
“Some of the destinations include Konkan Darshan, Ashtvinayak Darshan, Raigad fort one day trip, Mahabaleshwar trip and some other two-day trips,” said Gaikwad.
“We are uploading information about the service online on our website as well as displayed at the main ST stands. And we are now getting a good response to it as people want to travel with affordable ticket fares,” added Gaikwad.
“All the safety measures and Covid-19 protocols are been followed by our drivers and other staff on duty. We are allowed to run buses at full capacity. We also have plans to increase the destinations like Nashik – Trimbakeshwar, Shirdi and other prominent forts in the state,” he said.
Currently, the bus service is available from the major ST stands in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad – Swargate, Shivajinagar and Chinchwad ST stands.
Welcoming the move, Pratik Shinde a tourist, said, “We do not have a four-wheeler so this service is affordable and beneficial for our family.”
