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."Solapur Municipal Transport Undertaking vs Ashok Leyland Ltd. and Anr - Bombay High Court". IBC Laws. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025. 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.

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."Income ₹2 lakh and expenditure ₹75 lakh: Solapur Municipal Transport Department in trouble". Lokmat (in Marathi). March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.

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.

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."Urban Sprawl: A Case Study of Solapur City". ResearchGate. 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2025.

At its peak, SMT had over 150 buses, but financial constraints and infrastructure challenges have led to a significant decline."Demand for Privatization of Solapur Municipal Transport Department". Sakal (in Marathi). March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025. The department's revenue is approximately ₹2 lakh per month, while expenditures reach ₹75 lakh, putting severe financial strain on the service.

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 5. 30 A Railway Station to Godutai Gharkul GP College, WIT College, Gentyal, 70ft road, Akashwani Kendra, Nilam Nagar, Vijay Nagar 6. 30 B Railway Station to Godutai Gharkul GP College, WIT College, Gentyal, 70ft road, Akashwani Kendra, Nilam Nagar, Vijay Nagar 7. 43 A Railway Station to Godutai and Ray-Nagar Market Yard 8. 55 A Kontam Chowk to Kasegaon Hagalur Ule 9. 55 B Kontam Chowk to Kasegaon Hagalur Ule 10. 57 B Railway Station to Desai Nagar 70 Feet Road 11. 64 Shivaji Chowk to Chapalgaon Rangbhavan, Kumbhari 12. 70 Railway Station to Musti Market Yard 13. 72 D Shivaji Chowk to Vadgaon Mardi 14. 73 B Shivaji Chowk to Mandrup 13 Mile 15. 73 D 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."100 ई-बसेस लवकरच सोलापुरकरांच्या सेवेत; चार्जिंग स्टेशन्ससाठी निश्चित स्थळे". Sakal (in Marathi). 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025. This initiative aims to promote eco-friendly transportation and modernize SMT's operations. At the time of the report, only 21 buses were operational, with many being inactive during afternoons due to a shortage of drivers.

To support this transition, charging stations have been identified at strategic locations in the city."Solapur Municipal Transport Department's Safe Travel Concept". Lokmat (in Marathi). March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025. 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."Demand for Privatization of Solapur Municipal Transport Department". Sakal (in Marathi). March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.

See also Solapur Municipal Corporation Public Transport in Maharashtra Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC)

References