Pune, 13 June 2025: The Pune District Luxury Bus Association has warned of an indefinite strike starting June 15, protesting what they describe as high-handed action by the city’s traffic police. If the strike goes ahead, it could severely affect the travel plans of around 70,000 daily commuters who depend on private luxury buses for intercity journeys across Maharashtra and neighbouring states.
According to the association, the traffic police had earlier assured operators that a new directive restricting bus entry during peak hours would be enforced only after June 15. However, they claim that several buses have already been fined and forced to vacate city limits, creating operational uncertainty.
The core dispute centres on an order issued by Pune Traffic Police on June 1, which prohibits private buses from entering the city between 6 am to 11 am and 6 pm to 10 pm. The association says this rule was to be open for public suggestions and objections for 15 days but allege that penalties were imposed before this period ended.
The association plans to coordinate with operators in Pimpri Chinchwad and has called on the authorities to resolve their concerns immediately. Support has also come from the Pune Bus and Car Owners Association, which has formally submitted a complaint to the Pune RTO and scheduled discussions with officials.
Passengers are already worried about disruptions to their travel schedules, with many now scrambling for alternative, often costlier, options.
Meanwhile, the traffic police maintain that enforcement is necessary to regularise bus operations and reduce congestion. They point out that operators have been provided with designated parking spaces but continue to flout norms by stopping at unauthorised spots, necessitating fines and other actions.
As the situation intensifies, city officials are under pressure to strike a balance between ensuring orderly traffic and addressing the concerns of the private bus operators. Commuters, meanwhile, remain on edge, hoping for a solution before June 15.
