Future of BRTS route in Pune seems not so bright : PMPML

Pune News: Ajit Pawar Orders Immediate BRT Removal on Nagar Road, Approves Flyover Extension to Viman Nagar
A day after the bus-only lane was partially demolished, public transport utility officials said on Friday that the Yerawada-Wagholi BRTS corridor was a money-spinner, bringing in Rs 18.47 lakh in daily revenue to PMPML in October.
With only seven bus stops left on the route after six were removed, PMPML officials said the action had raised serious concerns about the future of Pune’s BRTS corridors.
Following is the daily performance of October 2023 of the BRTS stands in Pune:
Corridor | Trips | Passengers | Income |
Nigdi-Dapodi | 2109 | 125510 | Rs 2037958 |
Yerawada-Wagholi | 1990 | 108138 | Rs 1847846 |
Swargate-Katraj | 2081 | 130786 | Rs 1673581 |
Sangvi Phata-Kiwale | 1110 | 78264 | Rs 1305025 |
Dighi-Alandi | 1195 | 79094 | Rs 1316736 |
Sangamwadi-Vishrantwadi | 564 | 32001 | Rs 483564 |
Kalewadi Phata-Chikhali | 398 | 26085 | Rs 348787 |
Nashik Phata-Wakad | 148 | 13802 | Rs 198331 |
The buses on the Yerawada-Wagholl BRTS corridor used to arrive every five minutes, according to a senior PMPML official. The side railings have been removed, and the lane has been converted into a mixed BRTS following the partial demolition. This will affect how frequently buses arrive. It appears that the entire BRTS corridor may soon be taken off the main route.
Following the removal of the debris, the PMC had promised to remove the bus stops along the corridor.
According to a PMPML official, the organization hopes to install BRTS lanes on all of the city’s main thoroughfares. They had also suggested a corridor along University Road a few years prior. The plan was not well received by the police or other authorities because of VIP movements on the road.
One regular BRTS user asked why the two couldn’t coexist: the Metro and the BRTS. There was room to improve the arrangement of the corridors. The primary source of Nagar Road traffic bottlenecks was the corridor.
Another BRTS user claimed that while the concept behind the BRTS was sound, its execution was lacking. Had all parties involved exhibited integrity and diligence, BRTS might have achieved success in Pune.
An additional BRTS user stated that the authorities could have utilized the BRTS to supply feeder service to the Pune Metro rather than dismantling it.