Pune-Mumbai Shivneri Bus Stuck at Toll for 35 Minutes Due to FASTag Lapse
Lonavala, 8th February 2026: Passengers travelling on an MSRTC Shivneri Volvo bus faced an unexpected and frustrating delay on the Pune–Mumbai Expressway on Sunday after the bus was held up at a toll plaza for nearly 35 minutes due to an unpaid FASTag recharge.
According to passengers, the Shivneri service got stuck at the toll around noon because the FASTag account linked to the bus had insufficient balance. As a result, the bus remained stationary from about 12.00 pm to 12.40 pm while staff tried to resolve the issue.
“We paid nearly ₹600 for a premium Shivneri service on the Pune–Mumbai route, but still had to sit at the toll for 40 minutes because MSRTC forgot to recharge the FASTag. This is basic management, and it should not be happening,” said a passenger on board.
Several commuters expressed concern over what they called “avoidable mismanagement” by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), especially on a high-demand, high-fare route like Pune–Mumbai. Many said the delay disrupted their schedules and caused unnecessary stress.
“This is not about traffic or weather. This was purely an internal failure. If MSRTC cannot ensure something as simple as a FASTag recharge, how can passengers trust the system?” another commuter said.
Passengers also raised broader questions about the maintenance and operational discipline of MSRTC buses. “We are paying premium fares, but basic systems are not being checked before departure. It reflects poorly on how services are being managed,” the passenger added.
There was no immediate official response from MSRTC at the time of filing this report.
