Transport body to add two routes

Your journey to Bangalore and Goa will soon become more comfortable, as the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will introduce two new routes between Mumbai-Bangalore and Mumbai-Goa by April-end. The MSRTC will conduct one trip daily on both the routes on an experimental basis.

Your journey to Bangalore and Goa will soon become more comfortable, as the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will introduce two new routes between Mumbai-Bangalore and Mumbai-Goa by April-end. The MSRTC will conduct one trip daily on both the routes on an experimental basis.

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This step has been taken after the success of the Mumbai- Pune air-conditioned (AC) route.

MSRTC’s newly introduced brand, Ashwamedh, a name given to the Jumbo axle Volvo buses — which have an additional eight seats compared to normal Volvo buses — will ply between Mumbai and Bangalore, while Shivneri will ply between Goa and Mumbai.

MSRTC will also soon fix the ticket rate of the both the routes. “As it is a government undertaking, we can assure that rates will be affordable,” said Kapoor.

The Shivneri buses, which were introduced in 2004 by MSRTC, dominate the Mumbai-Pune routes.

“After every 15 minutes, you will find a blue Shivneri bus running on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Our strengths are punctuality, security and better buses,” said Deepak Kapoor, managing director and vice chairman, MSRTC.

In 2010-11, there has been a 37% increase in the number of commuters travelling by AC buses offered by the MSRTC. The MSRTC owns 72 Shivneri buses and plies 68 trips daily from Mumbai to Pune.

Private companies such as Neeta Travels, which once dominated the Mumbai-Pune are now trying to implement the service model followed by Shivneri.