Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has started new Shivneri bus services from Hinjawadi Phase-3 (TCS Circle) to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Kolhapur, and Nashik. This has been done to help IT employees in Pune who travel to their hometowns on weekends.
The MSRTC will roll out a new Shivneri bus service connecting Hinjawadi Phase-III (TCS Circle) to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, starting Friday, June 6.
This comes weeks after the Forum for IT Employees (FITE) Maharashtra has demanded the construction of a transit hub (bus depot) on the western side of Pune so that students, IT employees, and senior citizens don't have to stand on highways to catch buses to Satara, Karad, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Mumbai.
The western part of Pune includes rapidly developing areas such as Hinjawadi, Wakad, Baner, Balewadi, Aundh, Bavdhan, Sus, Pashan, and parts of Kothrud. These localities have emerged as major IT, residential, and educational hubs, attracting a large population of professionals, students, and families.
Weekend Timings:
Sambhajinagar: Leaves Friday 6:00 PM, returns Monday 4:30 AM
Kolhapur: Leaves Friday 4:45 PM, returns Monday 4:00 AM
Nashik: Leaves Friday 5:00 PM, returns Monday 4:30 AM
Tickets can be booked on the MSRTC website or mobile app (Android and iOS).
Fares
Men: ₹968
Women: ₹511
Senior citizens (65–74 years): ₹511
Senior citizens (75+ years): Free
This will make weekend travel easier and more comfortable for people working in Hinjawadi and nearby areas.
At present, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) operates four bus stations in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad — Swargate, Shivajinagar/Wakdewadi, one in Pimpri-Chinchwad, and Pune Station (Shivneri).
The original MSRTC bus stand at Shivajinagar was shifted to Wakdewadi to accommodate metro construction work.
Swargate remains a major hub for travel across all parts of the state. The underground metro station at Swargate will feature a mega commercial complex and a multi-modal transit hub, offering access to state transport buses, city buses, private cabs, and autorickshaw services.
However, people from Hinjawadi and Wakad areas, which are IT and industrial hubs, face issues as every bus station remains far from them, and they have to catch buses to their hometowns from the various bus stops along the highway. Now, as the areas see more development, FITE has demanded a bus station in the area for the ease of travellers.
Where are current bus stands?
Pimpri Colony: Located in Pimpri-Chinchwad, this bus stand caters to commuters from industrial and residential areas, connecting them to western Maharashtra cities.
Swargate: A major intercity and intracity hub in central Pune, Swargate connects to almost every major city across Maharashtra via MSRTC buses.
Wakdewadi (Shivajinagar): Temporarily replacing the original Shivajinagar stand due to metro construction, Wakdewadi serves as a key point for intercity state transport buses.
Pune Station (Shivneri): Located near the railway station, this stand mainly operates Shivneri luxury buses, especially for routes between Pune and Mumbai.
