Efficiency and Productivity Analysis of Indian State Road Transport Undertakings

Purpose - This study aims to assess the technical efficiency and productivity changes of significant Indian State Road Transport Undertakings (SRTUs) between 2019 and 2021. Design/Methodology/Approach - This study is based on a quantitative method. Data has been analysed through Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) using the CCR model and the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI). Fleet Held and Total Cost are inputs; Revenue-Earning Kilometres and Passengers Carried are outputs. Findings - The findings show that administrators such as Gujarat SRTC, PEPSU RTC, and Tripura RTC had excellent pre-pandemic efficiency, but COVID-19 disruptions caused widespread declines in 2020. While Maharashtra SRTC and high-cost operators like Delhi TC continued to suffer from inefficiency, Telangana SRTC and Andhra Pradesh SRTC experienced robust MPI growth in 2021. Operational findings are supported by financial data, which demonstrates higher losses. The analysis highlights scale inefficiencies and the necessity of focused improvements. Practical implications - DEA, MPI and Financial ratios can be used by policy administrators or managers to improve the service quality of public transport.