Pune: PMPML Gears Up for Massive Expansion; Fleet to Hit 4,000 Buses by March 2026
PUNE: In a major move to overhaul public transport in the region, the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has announced an ambitious roadmap for the new year. Under the leadership of Chairman and Managing Director Pankaj Deore, the transport body aims to expand its fleet to 4,000 buses and boost daily revenue to ₹4 crore by the end of the 2025-26 financial year.
This expansion is a direct response to the growing population of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the PMRDA regions. Currently, the shortage of public buses has led to a surge in private vehicle usage, resulting in chronic traffic congestion across the twin cities.
Strategic Fleet Growth and Route Restructuring
To address the current deficit, PMPML plans to induct approximately 2,500 new buses by April-May 2026. This influx will primarily consist of eco-friendly CNG and electric buses.
Key highlights of the expansion plan include:
- Reduced Waiting Times: The administration aims to slash passenger waiting times from the current average of 20 minutes to just 8–10 minutes on major routes.
- New Routes: PMPML is preparing to increase the number of routes from 394 to 494, ensuring better connectivity for underserved suburban pockets.
- Metro Feeder Services: CMD Pankaj Deore has proposed a plan to the Metro administration for 500 dedicated feeder buses to ensure seamless last-mile connectivity for metro commuters.
Financial Sustainability and Efficiency
Beyond just increasing the number of vehicles, the administration is focusing on making PMPML financially self-reliant. By optimizing trip frequencies on high-demand routes and expanding the service footprint, the daily ridership is projected to reach 18 lakh passengers.
“It is our duty to provide timely and quality bus services to the citizens of Pune,” said Pankaj Deore, CMD, PMPML. “Reaching the 4,000-bus target will significantly reduce the pressure on urban transport and allow us to provide better facilities to our passengers through increased revenue.”
Regular commuters have expressed optimism. “If the waiting time drops below 10 minutes, it will be a game-changer for office-goers,” said Rajesh Bhange, a regular commuter.
With the route restructuring process already underway, 2026 is set to be a transformative year for Pune’s lifeline, shifting the city’s preference from private wheels to public transport.
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