State road transport undertakings (SRTUs) play a central role in India’s public transport system. They connect cities, towns, and villages, providing affordable mobility to millions. Despite this, most SRTUs struggle with losses caused by high operational costs, fuel prices, and fare regulation.
Some undertakings, however, have managed to stay profitable. Their financial discipline, better fleet utilization, and efficient management set them apart from the rest. These examples show that profitability in public transport is possible with the right mix of efficiency and accountability.
At the same time, several SRTUs continue to post significant losses. Their financial stress affects service quality, staff welfare, and fleet expansion. Identifying the profit-making and loss-making undertakings gives a clear picture of where reform and investment are most needed.
Which State Road Transports Are in Profit in India?
As per the report for 2018–19, only eight SRTUs reported net profit.
| Name of SRTU | State | Profit (₹ crore) |
|---|---|---|
| Bihar SRTC | Bihar | 998.75 |
| Pepsu Road Transport Corporation | Punjab | 269.09 |
| Uttar Pradesh SRTC | Uttar Pradesh | 122.69 |
| Kadamba Transport Corporation | Goa | 19.31 |
| Odisha SRTC | Odisha | 8.97 |
| Assam State Transport Corporation | Assam | 8.12 |
| South Bengal State Transport Corporation | West Bengal | 5.08 |
| North Bengal State Transport Corporation | West Bengal | 2.59 |
These undertakings maintained strong operational control and better utilization of fleet resources. Bihar SRTC, in particular, emerged as the top performer, leading with nearly ₹1,000 crore in profit.
State Road Transports Running in Loss
Many large undertakings recorded heavy losses during the same period. The top 10 loss-making SRTUs in 2018–19 were:
| Name of SRTU | State | Loss (₹ crore) |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi Transport Corporation | Delhi | -5,259 |
| Kerala SRTC | Kerala | -1,783 |
| Rajasthan SRTC | Rajasthan | -2,118 |
| Andhra Pradesh SRTC | Andhra Pradesh | -790 |
| BEST Undertaking | Maharashtra | -896 |
| Telangana SRTC | Telangana | -749 |
| Maharashtra SRTC | Maharashtra | -544 |
| Metro TC (Chennai) Ltd. | Tamil Nadu | -519 |
| Gujarat SRTC | Gujarat | -409 |
| TNSTC (Villupuram) Ltd. | Tamil Nadu | -376 |
These losses were driven by high staff costs, fuel expenditure, and fare structures that didn’t match the cost of operations.
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