Maharahtra: MSRTC Revives 3×2 Seating Arrangement to Boost Passenger Capacity and Revenue

Mumbai, 12th May 2025: In a significant move aimed at boosting both revenue and passenger capacity, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has decided to reintroduce the 3×2 seating arrangement in its buses after more than 15 years. This decision follows approval from the MSRTC board earlier this week, which endorsed the purchase of 3,000 new buses featuring the traditional 3×2 layout, as opposed to the current 2×2 seating in regular buses.

State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik emphasized that the shift to the 3×2 configuration would benefit both the MSRTC and its passengers, especially in rural areas. “Previously, buses had 52-55 seats, but now that number has been reduced to 40. As a result, the demand for buses has increased, but income per trip has decreased. By reintroducing the 3×2 layout, we can address these challenges,” Sarnaik explained.

MSRTC, with its fleet of around 15,000 buses—including approximately 12,500 ordinary buses—is the largest state transport corporation in the country. However, many other state transport corporations in neighboring states, such as the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), continue to use the 3×2 seating arrangement for their buses, including semi-luxury models.

An MSRTC official revealed that Minister Sarnaik, along with senior MSRTC officials, visited both KSRTC and Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) to observe the economics of different seating configurations. After learning from these visits, the decision was made to return to the 3×2 seating model. “Passengers were often left standing in the aisles, especially during peak hours. The reintroduction of the 3×2 arrangement will ensure that more passengers have a seat, providing a more comfortable journey,” the official said.

The MSRTC had previously revamped its fleet around 2008, transitioning to a 2×2 seating arrangement in what it called the “Parivartan” (transformation) initiative, aiming to provide a more comfortable travel experience. However, the reduced number of seats on buses under this system led to a higher demand for buses without a corresponding increase in revenue.

A senior official from the MSRTC stated that the corporation has already issued a tender and held a pre-bid meeting for the new buses. “While approvals will take some time, these buses are expected to serve short and medium-distance routes, where the 3×2 seating arrangement will be most effective,” the official noted.
With this move, MSRTC aims to improve the comfort of passengers and ensure a more efficient and financially viable operation for the corporation.