Railway Station, Chincholikati MIDC, Hattarsang Kudal, New Vidi Gharkul, Old Vidi Gharkul, Musti, etc.
Hubs
Solapur Railway Station, Saat Rasta Depot, Rajendra Chowk Depot, Budhawar Peth Depot
Depots
3
Fleet
30
Daily ridership
3,000 (Average)
Fuel type
Diesel
Solapur Municipal Transport (SMT) is the public bus service operated by the Solapur Municipal Corporation (SMC) in Solapur, Maharashtra, India. Established in April 1965, SMT provides urban public transportation within the city and its surrounding areas.[1] The service operates under the provisions of the Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporations Act, 1949, which was later replaced by the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, 2012.[2]
As of March 2025, SMT has a fleet of 30 buses, but only 21 are operational due to maintenance issues and a shortage of drivers.[3]
History
Solapur's public transport system was initially managed by private companies before being taken over by the municipality. The first municipal bus service in the city was launched on 10 January 1949, under the Bombay Municipal Boroughs Act.[4]
Over the years, SMT expanded its operations to cover major industrial and residential areas, including MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) zones, Hotgi Road, Vijapur Road, and nearby villages.[5]
At its peak, SMT had over 150 buses, but financial constraints and infrastructure challenges have led to a significant decline.[6] The department's revenue is approximately ₹2 lakh per month, while expenditures reach ₹75 lakh, putting severe financial strain on the service.[3]
Routes
Solapur Municipal Transport - Bus Routes
Sr. No.
Route No.
Route Name
Via
1.
15 C
Railway Station to Sangdari
Market Yard, Boramani
2.
16 A
Railway Station to Godutai Gharkul
Shanti Chowk (Paani Taki), Sut Mill, Mallikarjun Nagar
3.
16 B
Railway Station to Godutai Gharkul
Shanti Chowk (Paani Taki), Sut Mill, Mallikarjun Nagar
4.
16 C
Railway Station to Godutai Gharkul
Shanti Chowk (Paani Taki), Sut Mill, Mallikarjun Nagar
Shivaji Chowk to Devkurli, Shivaji Chowk to Mandrup
13 Mile
16.
73 F
Shivaji Chowk to Vinchur
13 Mile, Mandrup
17.
78
Shivaji Chowk to Bolkote
11 Mile, Honmuragi
18.
91
Shivaji Chowk to Hattarsang Kudal
13 Mile, Nandani
19.
92
Shivaji Chowk to Jeur
Hotgi, Ingalgi
20.
94
Shivaji Chowk to Kandalgaon
Vangi, Mangoli
21.
95 B
Shivaji Chowk to Panmangrul
Hotgi Auj
22.
95 D
Shivaji Chowk to Panmangrul
Hotgi Auj
Future Development
Under the central government's 'PM E-Bus Seva Yojana', Solapur is set to receive 100 electric buses to enhance its public transport network.[7] This initiative aims to promote eco-friendly transportation and modernize SMT's operations.[8] At the time of the report, only 21 buses were operational, with many being inactive during afternoons due to a shortage of drivers.[citation needed]
To support this transition, charging stations have been identified at strategic locations in the city.[9] However, staff shortages continue to affect SMT's daily operations, with many buses remaining inactive, particularly in the afternoons due to a lack of available drivers.[6]
^"Solapur Municipal Transport Undertaking vs Ashok Leyland Ltd. and Anr - Bombay High Court". IBC Laws. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
^"Bombay HC pulls up Solapur civic body for non-payment of salaries to employees for four years". The Indian Express. 1 November 2021.
^ ab"Income ₹2 lakh and expenditure ₹75 lakh: Solapur Municipal Transport Department in trouble". Lokmat (in Marathi). March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
^"Study to improve public transport in Solapur". The Times of India. 24 May 2009.
^"Urban Sprawl: A Case Study of Solapur City". ResearchGate. 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
^ ab"Demand for Privatization of Solapur Municipal Transport Department". Sakal (in Marathi). March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
^"100 ई-बसेस लवकरच सोलापुरकरांच्या सेवेत; चार्जिंग स्टेशन्ससाठी निश्चित स्थळे". Sakal (in Marathi). 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
^"PMPML to rent out diesel buses to Solapur civic body, commuters unhappy". Hindustan Times. 21 April 2022.
^"Solapur Municipal Transport Department's Safe Travel Concept". Lokmat (in Marathi). March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
