Pune: Shivai AC Comfort on Pune–Borivali Route, But PMPML Riders Still Struggle
Pune, 27th January 2026:Commuters travelling between Pune and Mumbai’s suburban belt now have a more comfortable option with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) rolling out its premium ‘Shivai’ air-conditioned bus service on the Pune–Borivali route. At the same time, passengers within Pune city continue to report problems with malfunctioning stop announcement systems on several PMPML buses.
Shivai AC Service Now Operational
The newly introduced Shivai service will operate from the Shivajinagar bus depot and run between Pune Station and Borivali via Sion. MSRTC officials said the service has been launched in response to rising demand for reliable and comfortable intercity travel, especially among daily office commuters and long-distance passengers.
The buses are equipped with air-conditioned coaches and are known for improved safety features, punctual operations and enhanced passenger comfort. Divisional Controller Arun Siya said the service aims to reduce travel fatigue and provide dependable connectivity between Pune and Mumbai’s suburban areas, urging commuters to make full use of the facility.
Route and Schedule
The Shivai buses will run daily on the route:
Pune Station – Chinchwad – Sion – Borivali
Departures from Pune:
Morning: 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, 9 am
Afternoon: 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm
Evening: 4 pm
The spread-out schedule is intended to cater to business travellers, office-goers and general passengers throughout the day.
Ticket Booking Facilities
Passengers can book tickets both offline and online. Advance reservations are available at Pune Station Bus Stand, Vallabhnagar, Chinchwad Station and Nigdi. Digital bookings can be made through the MSRTC mobile application and the corporation’s official website.
While intercity travel sees an upgrade, issues persist within Pune’s urban bus network. Regular commuters have once again raised concerns over the failure of automated next-stop audio announcement systems on several Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) buses.
The system, intended to assist passengers in identifying upcoming stops, is reportedly non-functional on many buses, particularly those operated by private contractors. Commuters say the malfunction is causing inconvenience, especially for passengers unfamiliar with city routes, elderly travellers and visually impaired commuters.
In the absence of announcements, many passengers rely on conductors or fellow commuters for information about stops. Daily travellers have urged PMPML authorities to take immediate corrective steps to restore the system and improve accessibility and reliability in public transport services.
While MSRTC’s Shivai buses mark progress in intercity travel comfort, commuters note that consistent service standards within the city bus network remain an urgent priority.
