24x7 call centre for 66 lakh bus passengers in Maharashtra soon

Mumbai city news: The call center will provide information about the schedule of MSRTC buses, reservations, schemes on tickets and passes.

In a relief to about 66 lakh passengers who take the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses, the state government undertaking will set up a 24x7 call center in Mumbai to handle queries and complaints of passengers for the first time.

MSRTC will pay the company Rs1 crore to run the call centre. (HT FILE)

The call center will provide information about the schedule of MSRTC buses, reservations, schemes on tickets and passes. This includes air-conditioned Shivneri buses from Mumbai to Pune.

“The existing helpline number, 1800-22-1250, will redirect the passengers to the call center,” said MSRTC spokesperson, adding that the public transport body had signed an agreement with a private company — Say Future India Private Limited — for setting up the call centers.

According to the undertaking officials, the call centre is expected to be ready in the next two months. MSRTC will pay the company Rs1 crore to run the call centre. “The call center is necessary for immediate redressal of complaints and queries, besides making the service passenger-friendly,” said Diwakar Raote, state transport minister and MSRTC chairman.

An MSRTC spokesperson said that the existing helpline number was unable to cater to the passengers as it lacked trained staff and instructure. Because of the absence of primary facilities, passengers were unable to get required information.

MSRTC is the biggest public transport undertaking in the country with more than 17,000 buses and close to one lakh employees.