Pune MSRTC Plans 1,200 Extra Buses for Diwali; Daily Passenger Capacity Targeted at 1 Lakh
Pune, 16th October 2026: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Pune division has planned to operate 1,200 additional buses during the Diwali festive season to accommodate the expected increase in passengers travelling to their hometowns. The special services will connect Pune with destinations across western Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada, with the division aiming to transport around one lakh passengers daily.
The additional services are intended to ease travel during the festive rush, when railway reservations become difficult to secure and private bus fares often rise beyond the budgets of many passengers.
Pune has attracted people from across Maharashtra for employment, business and education. Many travel back to their native places during Diwali to celebrate the festival with their families, resulting in a significant increase in demand for public transport.
Double the number of additional buses this year
During last year’s Diwali season, the Pune division operated around 600 additional buses from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. This year, the number has been doubled to 1,200 in view of the expected passenger demand.
The additional services are expected to provide more travel options and help manage congestion at bus stations during the festive period.
The division may also increase the number of buses depending on passenger demand and the crowd situation at bus stations.
More buses if demand increases
Arun Siya, divisional controller of MSRTC’s Pune division, said the additional services had been planned to ensure that passengers could travel to their hometowns safely and with fewer difficulties during Diwali.
“Diwali sees a large number of people travelling to their hometowns. To avoid inconvenience and provide safe travel facilities, we have planned to operate 1,200 additional buses from the Pune division this year. We will increase the number of buses if required, depending on passenger demand and the crowd at bus stations,” Siya said.
The special services will cater to passengers travelling from Pune to various parts of western Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada.
