No Conductors? MSRTC Explores New Bus Model To Cut Costs And Improve Services | Mumbai-news News
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MSRTC is exploring conductor-less buses on suitable routes to reduce manpower costs and improve ticketing. But the move could also raise concerns over existing conductor jobs
MSRTC Vice-President and Managing Director Dr Madhav Kusekar, along with senior departmental officials, regional managers and divisional controllers, attended Wednesday’s review meeting.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is exploring the possibility of running conductor-less buses on selected routes as part of an effort to reduce manpower costs and redirect savings towards better passenger facilities.
Minister for State Transport Pratap Sarnaik has asked the state-run undertaking to identify routes where such a system could work and assess its feasibility at the earliest. The direction was issued during a review meeting on Wednesday, where officials were asked to look at ways to improve MSRTC’s efficiency while creating new sources of revenue.
Fare Hikes Not The Only Solution
Sarnaik said increasing fares alone would not resolve MSRTC’s financial difficulties. Instead, the corporation needs to work on improving passenger services, finding additional revenue streams and cutting unnecessary expenditure.
He said a sustainable strategy would require MSRTC to increase revenue and improve services while keeping costs under control.
As part of this approach, Sarnaik asked officials to give priority to studying conductor-less bus operations on routes where they are considered suitable. Removing the need for a conductor could lower manpower requirements, while digital ticketing systems could potentially make the process of issuing and checking tickets quicker.
Digital Ticketing To Support Conductor-Less Services
The proposed system would rely on technology to replace some of the functions currently handled by conductors. MSRTC has been asked to examine options including digital ticketing, QR codes and smart cards, along with other technology-based fare collection systems.
Officials will first have to identify routes where passenger demand, travel patterns and operational conditions make conductor-less services practical. An implementation plan will then be prepared based on the feasibility assessment.
Sarnaik also stressed that cost reduction should not come at the expense of passengers. Any change in the way MSRTC operates its buses, he said, should be guided by commuter requirements and local travel patterns.
Timely, safe, clean and dependable bus services must remain the priority, particularly because MSRTC serves not only major cities but also smaller towns and rural parts of Maharashtra.
What Could It Mean For Conductors?
While conductor-less buses could help MSRTC reduce its wage and manpower costs, the proposal could also have implications for its existing workforce.
If digital ticketing and automated fare collection replace conductors on more routes, the need for conductor posts could decline. This raises the possibility of job losses if the model is eventually expanded on a large scale.
How MSRTC handles its existing workforce will therefore be an important part of any transition. Redeploying conductors to other duties or routes could help the corporation achieve savings without immediately affecting employment.
For commuters, the success of the model will ultimately depend on whether faster and technology-driven ticketing can be introduced without compromising accessibility, assistance and service quality.
MSRTC Asked To Explore New Ways Of Working
The conductor-less bus proposal is part of a broader push to modernise the state transport undertaking and make its operations more financially sustainable.
MSRTC Vice-President and Managing Director Dr Madhav Kusekar, along with senior departmental officials, regional managers and divisional controllers, attended Wednesday’s review meeting.
The corporation will now examine suitable routes and the technology and operational requirements involved before any rollout is considered.
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Ask News18The introduction of conductor-less buses on a large scale could potentially lead to job losses for existing conductors.
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Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @…Read More
September 03, 2026, 13:24 IST
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