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By February 2025, around 600 CNG-powered buses will hit the roads, with the rest following shortly after.
Currently, PMPML operates about 1,800 buses, of which 1,500 are in service, while the rest are undergoing maintenance.(Photo: Punekar News)
Pune’s PMPML (Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd) is set to add 1,600 new buses to its fleet next year, with 600 CNG-powered buses expected by February 2025. The remaining buses will follow shortly after.
Currently, PMPML operates about 1,800 buses, with 1,500 in service and the rest under maintenance.
Nitin Narvekar, Joint Managing Director of PMPML, told The Free Press Journal, “We will soon add 400 new CNG buses to our fleet, procured under the Gross Cost Capital (GCC) model. Additionally, 200 buses will be funded by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) in a 60:40 ratio.”
Addressing the rising demand for buses at metro stations, Narvekar said, “Around 13 lakh commuters rely on PMPML buses daily. With the growth of the Pune Metro, there’s a call to add more buses at metro stations. Due to a bus shortage, we’ve yet to deploy additional buses, but we’ve put forward proposals to the government. As more buses are added, we’ll be able to increase services at metro stations to meet commuter needs.”
Narvekar also revealed plans to introduce 1,000 electric buses, with a proposal sent to Union Civil Aviation and Corporation Minister Murlidhar Mohol. While the date hasn’t been confirmed, these buses are expected to join the fleet in the new year.
