Premium Shivneri Bus Stranded for 35 Minutes on Pune-Mumbai Expressway Toll Due to FASTag Lapse

MSRTC Shivneri bus delayed at Pune–Mumbai toll for 35 minutes as FASTag account was not recharged, sparking passenger frustration and questions on transport management.

Pune | 09 February 2026 – Passengers on a Pune-Mumbai Shivneri bus experienced a frustrating delay when the vehicle was held up at a toll plaza on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway for nearly 35 minutes due to a FASTag lapse. The stoppage occurred around noon, as the RFID-based FASTag linked to the bus’s toll account had insufficient balance, preventing the bus from passing through the toll barrier. Commuters reported that staff worked to resolve the issue, but the halt lasted from approximately 12:00 pm to 12:40 pm, causing inconvenience to those traveling on the premium service.

Passengers expressed frustration, noting that delays on a premium service are especially disappointing. One commuter said, “We pay extra for comfort and timely travel, yet a simple operational lapse like an uncharged FASTag caused a significant delay. This should have been prevented.” The incident has raised questions about operational discipline in inter-city bus services and the preparedness of operators to ensure all mandatory digital toll payments are up to date before departure.

The FASTag system, implemented to streamline toll payments and reduce waiting times on highways, has been mandatory for most vehicles on national and major expressways, including the Mumbai–Pune route. Insufficient balances or inactive FASTags can result in delays or penalties, emphasizing the importance of proactive management by transport operators.

This is not the first time such a situation has affected Shivneri services. Similar delays due to unpaid or insufficient FASTag balances have occurred in the past, requiring passengers to wait or arrange alternate payment methods. Experts suggest that consistent monitoring of FASTag balances before departure, along with automated alerts for drivers and depot staff, could prevent avoidable stoppages and improve the reliability of premium bus services.

Transport analysts note that incidents like these can impact public confidence in inter-city bus travel, especially as passenger numbers are increasingly influenced by punctuality and operational efficiency. With expressways serving as key corridors between major cities, ensuring smooth FASTag transactions is critical for maintaining high service standards and avoiding unnecessary passenger inconvenience.

As digital tolling continues to become standard across highways, the focus on efficient operations, pre-trip checks, and real-time monitoring is expected to grow. Operators of premium bus services are under increasing pressure to match the expectations of paying commuters, with measures such as automated FASTag balance alerts, contingency cash options, and staff training recommended to avoid such delays in the future.

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