20 city buses in Nashik, India have been lying idle in the workshop for over two years due to a lack of funds for repairs. Parts have been taken from some buses to repair others, leaving 20 buses totally unfit to operate. It is estimated it would cost Rs 1 crore to make the buses roadworthy again. The state government does not provide funds for bus maintenance, so revenue from ticket sales of Rs 2.10 crore per year is not enough and Rs 2.50 crore is needed annually for upkeep. Officials have requested additional funding but the government has not shown interest in providing it.

1. Idle Fleet Makes City Buses Crowded, Revenue Poor
NASHIK : Uncertainty looms over comeback of 20 city buses lying idle in the
workshop for more over two years and now there are no funds to repair them.
In about 15 out of 20 buses spare parts from one were taken out to install into
others. "Currently, these buses are totally unfit to operate. We need a budget of at
least Rs 1 crore to make them fit to run again," said a senior official. He added that
nearly 20 buses were always off road for want of routine maintenance and by the
time they are repaired another 20 buses need maintenance. MSRTC has taken up
maintenance of city buses since last year. The state government does not release any
fund to MSRTC for the maintenance of buses, hence, officials said the revenue
earned through sale of tickets is not enough. MSRTC needs a budget of about Rs 30-
40 lakh per year, said sources.
The city buses earn revenue of about Rs 2.10 crore per year but the department
needs around Rs 2.50 crore year. From the figures, it can be estimated that one city
bus makes a profit of about Rs 1 lakh. It means if all the off-road buses are repaired
MSRTC will not need additional budget for maintenance. "If the buses are functional,
it will not only generate revenue for us but also reduce overloading in city buses,"
said an official.
The sources said senior officials of MSRTC have sent proposals to state government
several times to release fund for repair off roads city buses but government is taking
no interest. When asked to comment, Senior official, Nahik City Transport Services,
said, "Due to shortage of funds, we are facing heavy problem in the arrangement of
spare parts, tyre and battery for off road city buses."
20 city buses are lying idle at the workshop for more than two years. These buses are
always off road for want of maintenance. The city buses earn revenue of about Rs
2.10 crore per year but the department needs around Rs 2.50 crore year for
maintenance.