Pune to get more buses on road – PMPML to add 700 to its fleet

Former MLA and Congress leader Mohan Joshi emphasized the immediate need for 1,500 city buses to be introduced, following a meeting with Munde on Thursday.

Former MLA and Congress leader Mohan Joshi emphasized the immediate need for 1,500 city buses to be introduced, following a meeting with Munde on Thursday. In response, Munde assured that 700 buses will be inducted into the city within four months. (File)

The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) is set to add 700 additional buses to its fleet within the next four months, of which 400 will be owned by PMPML and the remaining 300 will be operated by private contractors, said PMPML’s chairperson and managing director (CMD) Deepa Mudhol Munde in response to concerns raised by Congress leaders over the shortage of PMPML buses in Pune.

Joshi said that a demand letter had been handed over to the CMD, highlighting the need for additional buses and greater transparency in PMPML’s monthly expenditure. “Nearly 13 lakh commuters in Pune rely on PMPML daily, and around 1,600 buses currently ply on roads. Out of these, nearly 50 buses experience breakdowns each day. This is unjust and unfair for passengers, especially employees, women, and students,” he said.

“We urge the transport body to promptly add 1,500 new buses, or else we will have no option but to resort to agitation. Meeting this demand will also help reduce traffic congestion in the city,” Joshi added.

He further stated that to prevent corruption within the transport body, there is a dire need for transparency in PMPML’s expenditure transactions, which should be made public every month.

Shubham Tigga

Shubham Tigga is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, presently based in Pune, where he covers the intersections of infrastructure, labor, and the modern economy. His reporting focuses on civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and workers' unions, providing critical insights into how transit and commercial sectors impact the daily lives of citizens. Expertise & Background Before moving to Pune, he reported extensively from his home state of Chhattisgarh, where he focused on Indigenous (Adivasi) issues, environmental justice, and grassroots struggles in mainland India. This experience gives him a unique lens through which he analyzes the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities. Academic Foundation He is an alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), where he honed his skills in investigative reporting and ethical journalism. His academic training, combined with his field experience in Central India, allows him to navigate complex socio-economic landscapes with nuance and accuracy. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More

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