In a welcome move that promises to save time, ease stress, and support education, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has announced that from June 16, 2025, students will no longer need to visit depots or stand in long queues to get their bus passes. Instead, travel passes will be delivered directly to schools and colleges across the state.

This initiative, titled “ST Pass Directly to Your School”, was announced by Maharashtra’s Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who emphasized the government’s commitment to removing unnecessary hurdles from the path of students.

A Step Toward Convenience and Continuity

Until now, students — particularly those living in rural or suburban areas — had to take time out of their daily routines and sometimes even miss classes just to visit pass centres or ST depots. Many would travel in groups, often early in the morning, and stand for hours in long lines just to submit forms or collect monthly bus passes. This tedious process consumed not only their time but also affected their studies and added avoidable stress.

But with this new initiative, that experience will be a thing of the past.

“Students will now receive their ST passes directly at their schools and colleges,” Minister Sarnaik announced, adding that this small change is expected to have a big impact. “MSRTC employees will visit educational institutions and distribute the passes on-site, using student lists provided by the institutions themselves,” he explained.

What Makes This Initiative Special?

The scheme is not only about convenience  it’s also deeply rooted in the broader goal of ensuring uninterrupted education for all.

Currently, the government provides a 66.66% concession on ST bus fares for students travelling between their homes and educational institutions. Under this scheme, a student only needs to pay 33.33% of the actual fare to receive a monthly ST pass — a much-needed financial relief for many families.

In addition to this, the government runs a special program called the “Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar” scheme, under which all students up to Class 12 are provided free bus passes. This ensures that school education remains accessible, especially for children from economically weaker backgrounds or those living in remote areas.

According to MSRTC Chairman, this initiative is another milestone under the same mission — to promote equal opportunities and ensure that distance or transport costs do not become barriers to learning.

Lakhs of Students to Benefit

With the “ST Pass Directly to Your School” campaign officially rolling out from June 16, lakhs of students from various parts of Maharashtra — villages, towns, and cities alike — will benefit from this thoughtful policy. From large urban colleges in Mumbai and Pune to small zilla parishad schools in remote districts, MSRTC’s outreach aims to be as inclusive as possible.

The logistics are being carefully managed. School and college administrations have already been asked to provide updated lists of eligible students. Based on these lists, MSRTC employees will visit institutions to distribute the bus passes. This process is designed to be transparent, fast, and student-friendly.

“This is not just about distributing bus passes — it’s about respecting students’ time, reducing the burden on their families, and improving access to education,” said a senior MSRTC official.

A Message of Trust in Public Transport

This move is also a vote of confidence in Maharashtra’s public transport system. By streamlining such processes and putting student needs first, MSRTC and the state government are showing that public transport can be efficient, accessible, and responsive.

Over the years, the image of the humble red ST bus has come to symbolize connection — it links villages to cities, homes to schools, and aspirations to opportunities. And with this new doorstep-pass initiative, that bond is only growing stronger

Parents and Students React

Parents, especially in rural regions, have welcomed the decision with open arms. For many, it means less travel, less paperwork, and more peace of mind.

“My son had to miss school every month to renew his pass. Sometimes we had to go together, taking half a day off work. This change is a blessing,” said Sunita Pawar, a parent from Latur district.

Students, too, are feeling relieved. “We won’t have to leave early in the morning or skip our lectures anymore. It saves time and energy,” said Aishwarya Shinde, a second-year college student from Nashik.

The Road Ahead

The MSRTC has made it clear that this is just the beginning. With technology integration, digitization of services, and more student-focused programs in the pipeline, the department hopes to build a future where public transport is not only affordable and accessible but also empowering.

For now, June 16 marks the beginning of a simple but powerful change — one that respects the dignity of students and acknowledges the importance of removing barriers from their educational journeys.

By bringing the bus pass directly to their school gates, Maharashtra is not just saving time — it’s sending a message loud and clear: Education matters, and we’re here to support it every step of the way.