Passengers Stranded at Khalapur Toll Plaza Due to E-Shivneri FASTag Glitch On Pune-Mumbai Expressway

Lonavala, 6th June 2024: Passengers traveling from Thane to Pune experienced a morning of chaos on Wednesday when nine e-Shivneri buses were halted at the Khalapur toll plaza. The vehicles, bound for Pune, were prevented from crossing the toll booth due to issues with their FASTag stickers, leading to delays and inconvenience for commuters.

According to a passenger aboard one of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses, all the affected vehicles were from the Swargate depot. The passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted that the bus, originating from Thane and bound for Swargate, encountered a standstill at the Khalapur toll plaza, lasting nearly 15 minutes. The driver attributed the delay to malfunctioning FASTag stickers, preventing passage through the toll booth.

As more e-Shivneri buses arrived, the driver arranged for passengers to board alternative buses. Approximately 43 passengers on the stalled bus, along with others on subsequent buses, were affected by the incident. Similar payment issues surfaced with the other e-buses, leading to a buildup of around 9-10 vehicles at the toll plaza.

Upon inquiry with toll authorities, passengers were informed of a potential problem with the FASTag systems, possibly due to insufficient balance. With the toll rate for buses set at Rs900, passengers faced the prospect of paying double if FASTag was not operational.

In a bid to resolve the situation, passengers pooled funds to cover the toll charges. However, as they prepared to make the payment, the driver suddenly announced that the FASTag was functioning, allowing the buses to proceed through the toll booth. Despite the issue being resolved, passengers endured an hour and a half of delay at the toll plaza.

Expressing frustration, one passenger emphasized the need for MSRTC to address such operational challenges promptly. Another questioned the uniformity of the issue across all buses.

Confirming the incident, Pramod Nehul, divisional controller of MSRTC, Pune, attributed the problem to bank-related issues affecting FASTag deductions. He assured that the matter had been resolved, noting the daily transfer of funds into FASTag accounts.

In a separate development, state transport officials announced plans to introduce six electric AC Shivneri buses for the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) route between Mumbai and Pune. These services aim to streamline travel between the two cities, offering commuters a time-saving alternative.