In a bid to revive its services, which has been badly hit by the pandemic, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) recently held a first-of-its-kind convention with passenger associations in Pune to know their suggestions, grievances and feedback. While some suggested customising routes as per passenger requirements, others spoke about focusing on the sanitisation of buses to make commuters feel more comfortable.

Officials said that the MSRTC faced extensive losses during the pandemic and it needed Rs 292 crore per month to pay salaries. "In the pre-COVID times, the MSRTC used to earn Rs 22 crore every day, but its revenue has fallen to about Rs 5-6 crore," an official said. However, the state government bailed out the corporation by sanctioning Rs 1,000 crore, but it still needs to get back on its feet.