Thane ST’s Bus Repairs Hit a Roadblock: Staff Shortage Leaves Commuters Stranded.

The Thane division of MSRTC (ST) is in serious trouble — nearly half of the technical posts in its mechanical department are lying vacant, and the impact is hitting commuters hard. Of the 707 sanctioned posts, only 369 are currently filled. That means fewer hands to fix broken-down buses, leading to delays, longer waiting times, and growing frustration among daily passengers. Eight bus depots — including Thane, Vasai, Palghar, Bhiwandi, Shahapur, and Wada — are struggling to function with limited manpower. From mechanics to key supervisory roles, the shortage is being felt across the board. There are only 2 foremen working out of the sanctioned 6, and just 4 assistant officers out of 12. With fewer people to handle maintenance and repairs, buses are often left parked for days, worsening the shortage on the roads. For passengers, this means missed schedules, overcrowded buses, and constant uncertainty. Though authorities are trying to manage with outsourced staff, it’s not enough. Experts say unless proper recruitment happens soon, both safety and service will continue to suffer — and the daily lives of thousands will remain stuck in this slow lane.