Pune RTO and Traffic Police to Finalize Designated Pick-Up Spots for Private Luxury Buses Soon
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Pune News, July 09, 2025: In a move aimed at streamlining operations and reducing chaos, the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) is working with city traffic police and private bus operators to identify official pick-up and drop-off points for luxury buses. Senior RTO officials confirmed that discussions are underway to allocate dedicated spaces, including parking lots and bus stops, to address long-standing grievances of operators and commuters.
No Parking Fines Until Spots Are Finalized
Deputy RTO Swapnil Bhosle stated that while discussions are ongoing, private buses will not be fined for wrong parking at their usual halting points—provided they follow basic parking etiquette and maintain proper documentation.
“We are coordinating with the police and bus associations to finalize pick-up points soon. Until then, no parking-related fines will be imposed. However, buses must ensure they do not obstruct traffic or pose safety risks,” Bhosle told TOI.
This comes after private bus operators threatened an indefinite strike over alleged “illegal” fines and the lack of designated stops.
Where Can Private Buses Park?
Additional Commissioner of Police (East) Manoj Patil clarified that private buses cannot halt on roadsides for more than three minutes—they must use off-street parking if stopping longer. Currently, operators have been allotted parking spaces at:
- Near Vivekananda Statue (Pune-Satara Road)
- Shewalewadi (Pune-Solapur Road)
- Wageshwar (Kharadi)
- Sangamwadi (Private operator-owned space)
Patil added that certain roads remain off-limits for private buses, a rule that also applies to MSRTC buses.
Operators Demand Long-Pending Solutions
Representatives of the Pune Luxury Bus Association, expressed frustration over unfulfilled promises. “Since the late ’90s, authorities were directed by the Bombay High Court to assign us proper spaces. Yet, nothing has materialized. We’ve rented spots in Sangamwadi and near Laxminarayan Theatre, but official pick-up points are still missing. If no space is available, the government should allow us to use MSRTC depots,” they said.
Commuters Voice Safety Concerns
Passengers highlighted the chaotic conditions at existing pick-up points. A frequent traveler to Bengaluru, said, “The Sangamwadi spot is poorly managed, especially during monsoons. The Tadiwala Road pick-up near Sohrab Hall is unsafe due to heavy traffic. The government must integrate private buses into MSRTC depots with proper monitoring.”
With over 700 private luxury buses operating daily in Pune, the finalization of designated stops is expected to bring much-needed order to the city’s intercity travel ecosystem.
