Set for launch, BRTS to be free for the first month

The mayor and municipal commissioner of both Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) are directors in the PMPML.

“The PMPML has informed that it was prepared to officially launch the BRTS on the Sangamwadi to Vishrantwadi and Aundh to Ravet route. The day for the launch is being decided on availability of the chief guest expected to attend the function,” said mayor Dattatraya Dhankawade.

He said it was decided in the meeting of board of directors to provide the BRTS service for free for the first month after its official launch.

“The PMC and PCMC would pay for the operational cost of the free run of the BRTS in their respective areas. This is being done to encourage commuters to experience their travel in BRTS,” Dhankawade said.

PMPML Chairman and Managing Director Abhishek Krishna said that the PMPML had made the necessary preparations for the start of BRTS and conveyed it to the two civic bodies. “The PMPML buses have been doing successful trial runs since August 1. The equipment of intelligent transport system have been installed on PMPML buses and the staff has been trained for the purpose,” he said.

The security on the PMPML bus stops on BRTS route are in place while traffic wardens are doing the traffic management on BRTS route, he said.

PMC’s additional municipal commissioner Omprakash Bakoria said that the PMC would complete the infrastructure work on the BRTS route with immediate effect. “There would be changes in infrastructure as per the situation to make the BRTS successful,” he said.