Wheels come off MSRTC buses, passengers worry

  • | Thursday | 6th September, 2018

Fortunately, no passengers were injured.MSRTC officials said there were no injuries as just one of the rear wheels came off. Similar disengagement of the front wheels would have led to disastrous consequences.The state transport utility introduced Shivshahi, air-conditioned semi-luxury buses, in July 2017. The MSRTC has decided to replace most semi-luxury non air-conditioned buses of the Hirkani brand by Shivshahi.The Shivshahi brand of buses replaces Shivneri the luxury coach fleet in non-prime areas, including Nashik –Pune route. These experts are duty bound to see to it that the wheels are in properly attached with the vehicle,” added the MSRTC official. Had there been a better option for travel, we would have opted for it,” said Shruti Godbole, Nashik resident who works in an IT industry in Pune.However, MSRTC officials from Nashik division of MSRTC rubbished the allegations.

NASHIK: Three separate incidents in just five days of the rear wheels of MSRTC’s Shivshahi buses coming off have put a question mark over the maintenance of these vehicles.On September 3 morning, one of the rear wheels of the Nashik bound Shivshahi bus from Pune came off during the journey. Prior to this, two similar incidents had taken place at Kankavli in Konkan region. Fortunately, no passengers were injured.MSRTC officials said there were no injuries as just one of the rear wheels came off. Similar disengagement of the front wheels would have led to disastrous consequences.The state transport utility introduced Shivshahi, air-conditioned semi-luxury buses, in July 2017. The MSRTC has decided to replace most semi-luxury non air-conditioned buses of the Hirkani brand by Shivshahi.The Shivshahi brand of buses replaces Shivneri the luxury coach fleet in non-prime areas, including Nashik –Pune route. Currently, Nashik has 73 buses running between Nashik and Pune, Aurangabad, Dhule, Jalgaon , Nandurbar, Borivali, Thane, Mumbai and other areas.A senior MSRTC official from Mumbai admitted that the top brass was aware of the incidents. “We have decided to send teams to different depots to which these buses belong to find out the reasons behind these incidents. We will set things right,” the official said.Some drivers alleged that the workshops do not address technical issues of the vehicles despite being informed. “At present, these buses are under warranty period and things are being maintained. The MSRTC authorities must direct the staff of the workshops to note the problems raised and get them addressed,” he said.He claimed that there are some problems with the clutches and engines of the buses as well. “When we raise the matter with the workshops, some temporary arrangements are done. We should better manage these issues,” said some drivers.Another driver said he had thrice written in his log sheet about the reverse camera not functioning properly but till date, the issue has not been resolved. “In our buses, we don’t have conductors and there is no other assistance available to reverse the vehicle,” he said.Even commuters demanded proper maintenance of the buses. “Wheels coming off a running bus is really scary. Human errors can be understood, but not poor maintenance. Had there been a better option for travel, we would have opted for it,” said Shruti Godbole, Nashik resident who works in an IT industry in Pune.However, MSRTC officials from Nashik division of MSRTC rubbished the allegations. They claimed that the buses are maintained in a proper manner. Since the buses are in warranty period, they are being maintained by company officials, they said.“In case of wheels coming out, every depot has an expert who has to ensure that the wheels are tight. These experts are duty bound to see to it that the wheels are in properly attached with the vehicle,” added the MSRTC official.

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