Low Passenger Numbers Prompt PMPML to Reassess Last-Mile Connectivity Initiative
In an effort to bolster last-mile connectivity for passengers commuting between Ramwadi metro station and Pune Airport, the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) initiated a bus feeder service. However, with only a modest uptake in ridership, the PMPML has announced intentions to reevaluate the service’s viability if passenger numbers remain low over the next two months.
Since its inauguration alongside the Ruby Hall Clinic to Ramwadi metro route by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 6, the feeder service has struggled to attract a significant number of passengers. Currently, only around 200 passengers utilize the service on a daily basis, falling short of the PMPML’s target of 400 passengers per day.
The feeder service encompasses two routes: one from Ramwadi metro station to Pune Airport via Sakore Nagar, and the other to Lohegaon Airport via Sanjay Park Lane no. 6. With stops strategically located at key points including Hyatt Hotel, Viman Nagar, and Symbiosis College, the service aims to provide convenient and affordable transportation for commuters.
Initially, the PMPML launched the service with 10 trips per day, witnessing a gradual increase in daily ridership from approximately 50 passengers to the current count of 200. Despite the slow uptake, PMPML officials remain optimistic about the service’s prospects, citing successful responses to other bus feeder services operated by the organization.
The newly inaugurated Pune Metro route from Ruby Hall Clinic to Ramwadi has seen substantial patronage, with over 60,000 passengers availing of its services since March 6. While delays in inauguration due to scheduling constraints were encountered, the eventual opening of the route marked a significant milestone in Pune’s public transportation infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the PMPML is committed to monitoring the performance of the feeder service closely over the coming months, with a view to optimizing its operations and enhancing its appeal to commuters seeking seamless connectivity between the metro station and the airport.
