Pune: Maha Metro to Improve Commuter Experience with Shorter Train Wait Times
Pune Metro Expansion Gets Boost With New Station At Balaji nagar
The Maha Metro is set to increase the frequency of trains on its PCMC-Swargate and Vanaz-Ramwadi routes to reduce commuter waiting times. Currently, trains operate at seven-minute intervals during peak hours, but officials are exploring the possibility of reducing this to every three minutes as both routes become fully operational.
The first phase of the plan is to operate trains at five-minute intervals, followed by the targeted three-minute frequency. Officials stated that the frequency will increase gradually over the next few months, as studies are being conducted to assess the technical requirements for these changes.
Frequent commuters on both routes have noted that trains are often full during rush hours, indicating a demand for more trains or additional coaches. Maha Metro’s daily footfall surged to 1.5 lakh in September, up from 50,000 a year ago, largely due to new stations opening along the Swargate and Vanaz routes.
The footfall is expected to rise further, potentially reaching 2 lakh in the next six months. To meet this demand, the priority is to first increase the frequency of trains, with the option to add more coaches being considered at a later stage.
This move is part of Maha Metro’s efforts to enhance commuter convenience and ensure that passengers face shorter waiting times at metro stations. Further studies will guide the implementation of these changes in the coming months.
