Lalpari previously known as ST (State Transport) turns 71 years old today. It’s a state run bus service of Maharashtra which serves routes to towns and cities within the state as well as to its adjoining states. These buses are operated by Maharashtra State Road Transportion Corporation (MSRTC). At present, MSRTC operates 19000 buses in the state and caters to 95 lakh passengers on a daily basis, as reported by Pune Mirror.
According to the MSTRC website, the first bus was flagged off from the Pune to Ahmednagar on 1st June 1948. Since then MSRTC has been engaged in passenger transport. This bus service runs in every interiors and corners of Maharashtra helping people to reach on time to their destinations.The Lalpari not only carry people but also take cares of the postal mail, distribution of medicines, newspapers, tiffins and sometimes crops transport in rural areas.
In spite of bad roads which are improving now, recurring losses due to private transporters, frequent strikes by the workers due to low wages, hiked taxes and yet the Lalpari retains its identity of transport service for everybody. It reaches every village that is connected by road. Even after so many obstacles, Lalpari is truly living up to its motto “Jithe Rasta, Tithe ST” (where there’s a road, there’s a ST bus).
Here are some pics captured by me of Lalpari.
References:
1. MSRTC Official website
2. Pune Mirror
Neeraj Kumar
Quite a milestone to achieve in this very quickly changing world.
Sachin Baikar
That’s true, Neeraj. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your comments 🙂
rupam { xhobdo }
Great to read.
Sachin Baikar
Thanks for the appreciation 🙂 Rupam
Jyotirmoy Sarkar
Good to know about the history, nice captures ad specially liked the motto.
Sachin Baikar
I’m glad that you liked this post 🙂 Jyotirmoy. Thanks a lot 🙂
abhijit
Beautiful name Lalpari. We may castigate, ridicule government run transport system, but it is these buses that reach in remote places where no private operator will ever go because profit margin is low. Keeping is mind the government is elected to serve people, public transport buses should be revamped. Along with time maintenance, attention should be paid towards better service and passenger comfort also.
Sachin Baikar
Very well said 🙂 Abhijit. Let’s hope for the improvements to be done in public transport by the new elected government.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts 🙂