MSRTC drivers who save fuel with proper driving techniques to get attractive incentives

Pune: MSRTC drivers who demonstrate fuel-efficient driving will be given special incentives and felicitated, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Tuesday.

With fuel prices rising continuously over the past 12 days, Sarnaik, who is also the chairman of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), said, “Instructions have been issued to all divisional controllers and depot managers to immediately set depot-specific diesel conservation targets. Depots will be required to regularly analyse the fuel consumption of buses and implement corrective measures to achieve these savings.”

Diesel in Pune is currently priced at Rs 98.15 per litre. A majority of MSRTC buses continue to run on diesel as the corporation has fallen behind on the phased introduction of electric buses. Of the transport body’s fleet of around 16,000 buses, only 738 are electric. Officials said 2,300 more e-buses are expected to join the fleet by the end of 2026-27.

MSRTC officials had earlier indicated that a fare hike was being considered due to rising diesel prices. “The proposal is still under consideration, and will be sent to the state transport authority. If fuel prices continue to rise, a fare hike may become inevitable,” an MSRTC official said.

Sarnaik said drivers could play a crucial role in reducing fuel costs. “An ST driver is not merely a vehicle operator, but also a key contributor to the corporation’s financial health. A skilled and responsible driver can help save lakhs of rupees for the organisation,” he said.

He added that depots surpassing their diesel-saving targets would receive special monthly awards and financial incentives. MSRTC currently consumes an average of 10.87 lakh litres of diesel every day, making fuel conservation a pressing necessity. “If every ST depot saves even five litres of diesel daily, the statewide saving could exceed 1,000 litres a day. At current diesel prices, that would translate into savings of nearly Rs 1 lakh daily,” Sarnaik said.

Drivers whose buses record poor KPL (kilometres per litre) figures due to inefficient driving practices will undergo counselling and retraining. The specialised training programme will focus on speed regulation, optimum gear usage, minimising unnecessary engine idling and better braking techniques. The minister also said depots had been instructed to strengthen daily technical inspections, ensure timely repairs and closely monitor engine efficiency. “Fuel wastage is often linked to poor tyre pressure, improper engine tuning, oil leaks and braking system defects,” he said.