Pune, 23rd January 2024: In response to delays in procuring electric buses, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) is set to introduce 500 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses into its fleet by June. The move aims to cater to the increasing demand for public transportation and alleviate constraints during the upcoming holiday season.
The decision, approved during a recent meeting of the PMPML Board of Directors, involves leasing 400 buses and acquiring ownership of the remaining 100. The tender process for the induction of CNG buses has already begun, with the new additions expected to be operational before the end of the current academic year.
The 12-meter-long buses are seen as a practical alternative to electric buses, given the challenges faced by PMPML in securing the latter, a plan delayed for the past one and a half to two years. Despite concerns about an increased reliance on contractors, the move is anticipated to benefit the commuting public, with an estimated average of 730 passengers per CNG bus daily.
PMPML currently operates 981 self-owned buses alongside 1,098 buses owned by seven different contractors. With the addition of 400 leased CNG buses, the contractor-owned fleet will surpass the self-owned buses, raising concerns about potential challenges for PMPML in the future.
However, the strategic fleet expansion is expected to provide relief to the existing overcrowded conditions, with the 500 additional buses catering to at least three lakh 65 thousand passengers every day. As bus availability increases, the hope is that the standing volume of passengers will decrease, enhancing the overall commuting experience for Pune residents.
PMPML aims to address the demand-supply gap and ensure seamless transportation services with this proactive move towards fleet expansion.
