Maharashtra students to receive bus passes at schools & colleges, MSRTC ends depot queues with new system; scheme rolls out from 16 June

MUMBAI: Students studying in schools and colleges will receive their state transport bus passes directly at their educational institutions. MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik announced the move on Sunday and said the first term of the new academic session will begin on 16 June.The government provides a 66.66% concession for students travelling from home to school via state transport, meaning they only need to pay 33.33% of the cost for a monthly pass. Additionally, under the "Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar" scheme, all female students up to grade 12 receive free bus passes.Previously, students had to queue at bus pass centres or visit depots in groups to collect their passes. Now, they will no longer need to wait in line.

Based on lists provided by their schools and colleges, transport staff will distribute the passes directly at the institutions, ensuring no academic time is lost.Starting 16 June, a special campaign titled "Bus Pass Directly to Your School" will be launched by the transport administration. Prior to this, depot managers have been instructed to request school and college principals to prepare lists of students enrolled for the new academic year.This innovative scheme is expected to benefit lakhs of students across the state.