With an aim to provide better commuting in the hilly terrain, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has introduced mini-buses on the Neral-Matheran route among others. 

“We have bought 100 mini buses, which would be mostly used in the hilly terrain where there are sharp turns and narrow roads — one of which is the Neral-Matheran route. These buses can negotiate sharp turns and move swifter than the regular large buses,” said O P Gupta, vice-chairman and managing director, MSRTC.

The buses are bought at the cost of Rs 8.5 crores and each can seat 31 passengers. Besides the Neral-Matheran route, about 30 mini-buses have been deployed in Konkan, the hilly and tribal belts of Nashik, Amravati (Melghat), Dhule, Nandurbar and parts of Vidarbha. “The commuters are also relatively less in the areas where these buses have been introduced,” Gupta said.

Matheran, one of the few hill stations near Mumbai, is one of the popular weekend destinations for Mumbaikars. The MSRTC buses play a vital role in carrying passengers to and back from the base (Neral) to Matheran during the monsoon when the famous Neral-Matheran toy train is non-operational. The private operators plying on the route charge exorbitant amount from the tourists. Last year, the private tour operators had even set ablaze a MSRTC bus as, according to them, it was eating up their business.

Meanwhile, the Matheran Municipal Council (MMC) is considering the development of shuttle service for tourists in and around Matheran, especially from Matheran and Dasturi Naka. The issue was discussed in the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority’s (MMRDA) Monday meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.

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