PMPML plans to revive double-decker buses project, to start route identification again

Pune: The city transport body has decided to revive the double-decker buses project almost eight months after conducting trial runs and putting the proposal on hold.Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) CMD Mahesh Awhad said the process would begin afresh, including the identification of suitable routes for the buses.“The project to introduce double-decker electric buses was never shelved. Work on it has been continuing. We will soon begin an exercise to finalise the routes on which these buses can operate. Unlike regular buses, double-deckers require additional assessments, including checks for trees, overhead cables, subways and other infrastructure-related constraints. We expect some of these buses to start operating in Pune by the end of this year,” Awhad told TOI.In Sept last year, PMPML conducted a month-long trial of a double-decker bus on select routes across the city. Officials had then announced plans to deploy 25 double-decker buses on eight routes by early 2026. However, the transport body later put the proposal on hold, saying additional studies were required.Even in Jan this year, former PMPML CMD Pankaj Deore, who was transferred in March, had maintained that the project was on track and that route planning was underway in coordination with the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations to ensure operational safety.The routes shortlisted during the earlier exercise included Hinjewadi Phase III–Chhatrapati Shivaji Chowk–Hinjewadi Phase III, Ramwadi Metro station–International Tech Park in Kharadi, Pune railway station–Lohegaon airport via Vimannagar, Kalyaninagar Metro station–Magarpatta IT Park, Hinjewadi Phase III–Chinchwadgaon and back, Swargate–Alandi and Alandi–Dehu Road.The decision to repeat route surveys and feasibility assessments has raised questions among commuters, particularly because a significant portion of the groundwork had already been completed during last year’s trial.“We saw the double-decker bus being tested extensively across the city last year. PMPML had even fixed a fare of Rs 100 for rides during the trial period. If the routes were already identified and feasibility checks carried out, why repeat the entire exercise? It will only result in additional expenditure of public money. The authorities should build on the work already completed and move ahead with implementation,” said Animesh Burse, an IT professional and regular PMPML commuter from Hinjewadi.The trial bus, brought from Chennai, had a seating capacity of 65 passengers and could accommodate up to 85 commuters. It was capable of covering around 150km on a single charge and measured 4.75 metres in height and 9.5 metres in length. Each bus is estimated to cost around Rs 2 crore.“There is definitely a need for double-decker buses in Pune. The city has operated such buses in the past, and they can become an attraction while also improving public transport capacity. But the authorities need to move faster. Repeating groundwork that has already been completed serves little purpose,” said Nishant Patdar, an IT professional from Kharadi.PMP Pravasi Manch activist and regular bus commuter Sanjay Shitole said the decision to repeat the exercise raised questions about PMPML’s commitment to introducing the buses.