Pune’s Bus Fleet Falls Short: Only Half The Required Capacity, ITDP Study Reveals
Pune’s Bus Fleet Falls Short: Only Half The Required Capacity, ITDP Study Reveals
Pune faces a significant public transport crisis, with only half the required buses operating in the city, according to a study by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP). The city and its neighboring Pimpri Chinchwad jointly operate 2,200 buses, but an estimated 4,500 are needed to meet the growing demand, as per Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs standards.
Currently, Pune has just 29 buses per lakh population, falling far short of the recommended 60 buses. This shortage exacerbates the city’s transport challenges, ranking it as the fourth worst globally for average travel time, with commuters spending 33 minutes and 22 seconds to cover just 10 kilometers, according to the Tom Tom Traffic Index.
The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML), which oversees the city’s bus system, has seen its fleet shrink in recent years. Statistical reports reveal a decline in operational buses, with only 1,947 buses available daily in 2024 compared to 2,119 in 2023.
Urban transport planner Bhaumik Gowande emphasized the need to not only procure new buses but also replace aging ones to improve fleet capacity. He noted that a rationalized approach to bus routes and an adequate supply of vehicles could increase PMPML ridership by at least 30%, from the current daily average of 10 lakh passengers.
The situation is not unique to Pune. ITDP data shows that none of Maharashtra’s top eight cities meet the ideal bus-to-population ratio. Vasai Virar fares the worst, with just eight buses per lakh population.
To address these issues, experts call for swift action in fleet expansion and route optimization, which could ease congestion and provide a more efficient public transport system for Pune residents.
