PMPML starts 8-day trial of electric double-decker bus in Pune, to run on 4 routes if successful

The buses take two hours to charge and can travel 150 km on a single charge, featuring amenities like CCTVs.

Pune's first double decker bus during it’s trail run at Katraj on Tuesday. Pankaj Deore, CMD PMPML along with other officials were also travelled in the bus. (Express photo/Arul Horizon)

The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) Tuesday commenced an eight-day trial for double-decker buses to be run on specific routes in Pune. If the trial is successful, 10 such electric air-conditioned buses provided by Switch Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, will be inducted into the PMPML fleet after Diwali.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Pankaj Deore, chairman and managing director (CMD) of PMPML, said, “We have finalised four routes and have begun the trial runs. These routes are in Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) areas like Hinjewadi and Magarpatta. The buses need roads where there are no trees or cables. The trial run will run in the peak hours for the next eight days.”

Deore said that initially, 10 buses will be inducted into the fleet, and depending on the earnings and public response, a decision will be made on the induction of more buses. The bus takes two hours to charge and runs 150 kilometres on a single charge. It features modern facilities, including CCTVs, and has a seating capacity of 65 and a standing capacity of 20.

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The idea of double-decker buses in Pune was proposed as early as 2022 when PMPML planned to hold consultations with Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) of Mumbai.

This move comes at a time when PMPML has been struggling with a dismal fleet of buses. According to the city’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan developed by Maha Metro, the city needs over 6,000 buses.

However, currently the organisation has fewer than 2,000 buses, leading to a plateau in ridership numbers and overcrowding in buses. The number of buses has remained constant since at least 2021. A limited number of buses have been added to the fleet at irregular intervals, but these have only replaced the old buses that retire each year.

Soham Shah

Soham is a Correspondent with the Indian Express in Pune. A journalism graduate, he was a fact-checker before joining the Express. Soham currently covers education and is also interested in civic issues, health, human rights, and politics. ... Read More

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