Nashik Municipal Corporation’s public transport arm starts bus service on Tapovan depot-Symbiosis College route in relief for students & residents

Nashik: The Nashik Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (NMPML), NMC’s public transport arm, has introduced a new city bus route connecting the Tapovan bus depot with Symbiosis College, improving public transport access for students and residents along the corridor.The newly launched service will operate via Central Bus Stand (CBS), Trimurti Chowk, Kalika Park, Mahakali Chowk and Uttam Nagar. Civic officials said the route was introduced to address long-standing demands from students and daily commuters seeking better connectivity to the college and surrounding residential areas.According to the schedule, buses on the route will operate at 45-minute intervals. NMPML has planned 16 trips daily from each end, ensuring regular connectivity throughout the day.

The officials said the service was expected to provide a convenient and economical travel option, particularly for students commuting to and from the educational institution.The route was formally inaugurated at a programme held at Saint Gadge Maharaj Garden. Following the launch, NMPML appealed to students, officegoers and other commuters to make greater use of public transport and reduce reliance on private vehicles.

The new service is part of NMPML’s ongoing efforts to expand and strengthen its transport network across Nashik and nearby areas. At present, it operates around 250 buses through two private agencies under the procure-operate-maintain model. The fleet serves more than 60 routes within the city and also connects several neighbouring destinations, including Trimbakeshwar, Pimpalgaon, Sinnar, Ozar, Sayyad Pimpri, Mohadi and Saikheda.The civic officials said NMPML’s network included nearly 27 bus terminals, two depots and about 1,440 bus stops spread across urban and rural areas. The city bus service has recorded significant growth since NMC assumed operational control from the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on July 8, 2021.The service began with 27 buses operating on 11 routes, carrying around 5,000 passengers daily and earning an average revenue of Rs 1.3 lakh per day.

Over the past four years, ridership has grown substantially, with average daily passenger numbers now touching 70,000 and daily revenue increasing to nearly Rs 21 lakh.The officials attributed the growth to the expansion of routes, improved connectivity across the city and adjoining regions, and the availability of concessional bus passes for students, which have encouraged greater use of public transport.