MSRTC Introduces ‘Shivneri Sundari’ Attendants for Personalized Service on Mumbai-Pune Luxury Buses

Mumbai/Pune, 3rd October 2024: Passengers on the popular electric luxury buses running between Mumbai and Pune will soon receive a more personalized service, courtesy of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). The MSRTC recently announced the introduction of attendants, referred to as “Shivneri Sundari,” who will provide an air hostess-style service on their e-Shivneri buses.

Bharat Gogawale, the new chairman of MSRTC, made the announcement.

According to an MSRTC statement, the initiative aims to offer air travel-like hospitality for passengers on the busy 200-km route.

The ‘Shivneri Sundari’ will be responsible for providing essential travel-related information to passengers, addressing their queries, and taking suggestions.

She will also supply basic amenities, such as water, newspapers, and magazines, as well as offer basic medical assistance, as reported by the Times of India. However, food services will not be available on board.

Additional duties include maintaining cleanliness on the bus throughout the journey, ensuring the air conditioning and temperature settings are comfortable for passengers, and promptly notifying the driver and MSRTC officials of any technical issues, as reported by TOI.

The MSRTC clarified that the addition of ‘Shivneri Sundari’ attendants will not result in any ticket price changes for passengers.

The e-Shivneri buses are point-to-point services, staffed by a driver, while ticketing is handled by conductors at designated stops along the Mumbai-Pune route.

Media reports indicate that the ‘Shivneri Sundari’ will be allocated a front-row seat, along with a small cabinet to store necessary supplies.

Additionally, MSRTC’s board has approved the procurement of 2,500 new buses and has started the tender process for their acquisition. A proposal has also been discussed to convert 100 diesel buses into electric ones as part of a pilot project. The corporation, which operates a fleet of over 15,000 vehicles, has already announced plans to convert 5,000 diesel-powered buses to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Commenting on the news, Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized the initiative on X, writing, “The tabletop dancers of Goa who were high on khoke and gaddari have come up with this highly perverted and misogynistic idea of ‘Shivneri Sundaris’ who will ‘serve’ passengers travelling in Shivneri buses between Mumbai-Pune and to ‘enhance the travel experience of passengers’.”