The future of Pune’s Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) route appears to be clouded with uncertainty, as the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) expresses apprehensions following the partial demolition of the Yerawada-Wagholi BRTS corridor. Officials from the public transport utility revealed that despite generating substantial daily revenue of Rs 18.47 lakh in October, concerns about the corridor’s viability have been heightened.
The recent removal of six bus stops along the route has left only seven, prompting PMPML officials to question the sustainability of Pune’s BRTS corridors. The Yerawada-Wagholi corridor, which was once considered a money-spinner for PMPML, is now under scrutiny, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the city’s dedicated bus lanes.
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.
