In a bid to streamline travel for passengers, Maha Metro and Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mandal Limited (PMPML) have collaborated to introduce shuttle buses connecting the Ramwadi and Yerawada metro stations to Lohegaon airport by the end of next month.
The shuttle buses will be equipped with designated bus bays at Yerawada station, with pick-up and drop-off points established at Ramwadi station. Currently lacking a direct route from the Metro to the airport, this initiative aims to bridge the gap for commuters.
Frequent travelers have expressed the need for finalized plans on feeder services and last-mile connectivity before the Metro extends its route to Ramwadi.
A regular flyer from Pune airport highlighted the potential convenience this change could bring for travelers. Emphasizing the necessity for feeder services, the commuter noted that the Metro’s extension to Ramwadi should have been complemented by well-planned last-mile connections, now the responsibility of the authorities.
Communities using the metro echoed the sentiment, underlining the importance of consistent and high-quality feeder services to deter transport providers from taking undue advantage. At present, passengers disembarking at Yerawada or Ramwadi Metro stations often face exorbitant charges for auto-rickshaws to reach the airport.
Maha Metro representatives disclosed ongoing negotiations with PMPML to determine the frequency of feeder buses to the airport.
Additionally, Yerawada station is set to feature PMPML and MSRTC bus stops alongside these feeder buses, providing commuters with seamless interchangeability between Metro and bus services. Yerawada station emerges as a multimodal hub, catering to three different public transportation services—Metro, PMPML, and MSRTC.
