Pune: The cargo transport service introduced by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) during the COVID-19 pandemic has come to a halt in Pune, as the corporation currently lacks sufficient vehicles to meet demand, according to MSRTC administration sources.

Initially launched to counter revenue losses during the pandemic, the cargo service saw substantial success, especially within the Pune division, where affordable rates and reliability attracted private and government clients alike.

The ST Corporation started its cargo service statewide in 2020 by repurposing 2,000 decommissioned buses into cargo vehicles.

The Pune division began with 78 buses dedicated to cargo transport, generating daily revenues of ₹1–1.1 million. However, the service was gradually scaled down as several of the original cargo buses were scrapped or dismantled, with no replacements provided.

Despite continued demand for cargo transport, a lack of available buses from the corporation has led to a complete suspension of the service in Pune.

The once-thriving cargo service saw a sharp decline in trips and revenue over the past three years, underscoring the impact of fleet shortages. Annual figures reflect this downward trend:

• 2021-22: 2,599 trips, generating ₹238 million

• 2022-23: 1,924 trips, generating ₹191 million

• 2023-24: 826 trips, generating ₹87.35 million

Officials noted that the corporation had initially found substantial demand in Pune, given that ST’s rates were competitive compared to private cargo services.

However, without adequate replacements for the dismantled vehicles, the service has now ceased, and the demand remains unfulfilled.