PMPML to expand fleet with 1,600 new buses, to launch mobile app for iPhone users too

Currently, PMPML operates approximately 1,700 buses daily, including 490 e-buses, 175 diesel buses, and the remainder running on CNG.

Of the 1,600 buses, 600 will run on CNG, and 1,000 will be electric buses. (Representational image)

Pune’s public transport system is set for a major transformation in 2025 as the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) prepares to expand its fleet with 1,600 new buses and modernise its operations. As part of the initiative, the PMPML mobile app, currently available on Android, will soon be launched for iPhone users to enhance commuter convenience.

Joint Managing Director (JMD) Nitin Narvekar shared key details of the expansion plan. Of the 1,600 buses, 600 will run on CNG, and 1,000 will be electric buses. “Two hundred buses will be owned by PMPML and 400 by private contractors. The remaining 1,000 electric buses are part of a central government scheme announced by Union Minister and Member of Parliament Muralidhar Mohol,” he said.

“The proposal to acquire these e-buses has been sent to the Central government, but no deadline has been finalised for their addition,” Narvekar added. He confirmed that nearly 600 CNG buses are expected to join the fleet by March 2025.

Currently, PMPML operates approximately 1,700 buses daily, including 490 e-buses, 175 diesel buses, and the remainder running on CNG.

In another major initiative, PMPML plans to commercially develop its depots at Nigdi and Sutarwadi. Narvekar explained that the development project will focus on generating revenue through the commercial use of these lands. “This involves redeveloping these areas to include facilities or infrastructure that can support revenue generation,” he said. The project, still in its early stages, aims to be completed within 2025.

Discussing the PMPML’s mobile app, ‘Apli PMPML,’ launched in August, Narvekar said that it has already been downloaded by 6 lakh users and generates around Rs 16 lakh daily. “To increase its reach and usage, we plan to launch it on iPhone Operating System (iOS) soon. This will take a couple of months to implement,” he added.

When asked about safety measures in light of the fire incident involving a PMPML bus earlier this year, Narvekar emphasised the importance of preventive technology and driver training. “We have installed smoke and heat motion sensors and are collaborating with the Central Institute for Road Transport (CIRT) to provide specialised training to our drivers. They will be trained to handle emergencies and use upgraded bus technology effectively,” he said.

Story continues below this ad

Narvekar said these expansions and upgrades aim to make public transport in Pune more eco-friendly, efficient, and commuter-friendly, meeting the city’s growing demand.

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

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories