PUNE: Aiming to reduce traffic congestion in the heart of the city such as Peth areas and also places with narrow roads, the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) administration is all set to add 200 midi buses (medium size buses) in its fleet from Wednesday. 

The PMPML said adding the buses will also reduce the frequent breakdown of the buses. It clarified that Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations have a share of 60 and 40 per cent respectively in the fleet.

Accordingly, 120 buses were given to Pune Municipal Corporation, while 80 buses were given to PCMC in 2019. The demand to get these midi buses inducted in the fleet was discussed and debated since 2016 and PMC Standing Committee had given its approval for the procurement of the buses in September 2016. 

PMPML Chairman and Managing Director Nayana Gunde said, “The PMPML took the decision of operating buses in the city and accordingly, new buses have been added to the fleet.”

With problems like huge passenger flow, 12-metre-long buses find it difficult to pass through the narrow Peth areas. Broken seats, frequent breakdowns, lack of hygiene in the buses, etc, has forced the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd to add 80 midibuses in PMC from PCMC fleet and PCMC will get new 12-metre-long e-buses in lieu of these buses, confirmed PMPML administration. 

Pune Municipal Corporation Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad, said, “We have been taking various steps to reduce traffic congestion in the city. Adding midi buses was a part of that step. We are also thinking of adding e-rickshaws for the city soon.”

ROUTES FOR THE NEWLY-INDUCTED BUSES
PMPML midi buses will operate between Kothrud, Karve Nagar, Shivajinagar, Bibvewadi, Indira Nagar, Dhankawadi, Padmavati, Sahakar Nagar, Sinhagad Road, Swargate, Pune station, Gokhale Nagar as the buses reach these destination passing through the Peth areas.