Pune: PMPML To Begin Electric Double-Decker Bus Trials On 10 Routes From July 21
Pune: PMPML To Begin Electric Double-Decker Bus Trials On 10 Routes From July 21
Pune, July 18, 2026: The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) will begin trial runs of electric double-decker buses on 10 routes across the city from July 21, marking a step towards introducing high-capacity, eco-friendly public transport in Pune.
The pilot project will focus primarily on corridors that are not connected by the Metro or the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network. The initiative aims to evaluate the operational feasibility of electric double-decker buses before they are introduced into regular service.
As part of the trials, PMPML officials will inspect the selected routes to assess factors such as road width, turning radius, flyover clearance, overhead utility cables, tree branches and overall traffic conditions. The study will help determine whether the routes are suitable for the operation of taller double-decker buses.
Among the routes selected for the trial are Hadapsar–Wagholi and Hadapsar–Swargate, while the remaining routes have also been chosen from areas with limited Metro and BRT connectivity to improve access to public transport.
PMPML had conducted a similar exercise in the past but has decided to carry out a fresh assessment before making a final decision on inducting electric double-decker buses into its fleet.
If the trial is successful, the buses are expected to increase passenger carrying capacity while promoting cleaner and more sustainable urban mobility. The proposed return of double-decker buses has also generated enthusiasm among commuters, many of whom remember the iconic buses that once operated on Pune’s roads.
