Pune: PMPML Bus Purchase Delayed, Passengers to Wait Longer for 100 New Buses

Pune, 10th August 2024: The process of purchasing buses has been delayed as the decision to buy 100 new buses was not finalized during the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) Board of Directors meeting. Previously, the bus purchase was postponed due to the code of conduct. However, passengers will have to wait longer for the new buses since only a discussion took place at the board meeting.

PMPML plans to procure 100 buses to strengthen public transport and reduce dependence on contractors. The Board of Directors has already approved this proposal, which includes 20 double-decker buses and 80 buses with a length of 12 meters. All of these buses will be air-conditioned. Due to increased costs, a revised proposal was submitted to the Board to purchase wheelchair-friendly buses. However, this was not discussed in the board meeting held four days ago. As a result, the decision to purchase the buses has been delayed, and passengers will have to wait longer.

Meanwhile, PMPML has decided to purchase 100 CNG buses to improve passenger convenience in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Additionally, there are plans to lease 200 vehicles, but this process has also stalled. Given the city’s traffic, there should be 50 buses for every one lakh people. The PMPML fleet currently has 2,142 buses, of which 1,400 are in daily operation. To meet the demand of 50 buses per one lakh people, 3,500 buses are required.