One bus every 90 seconds: PCMC’s high-frequency BRTS powers over 3.6 lakh daily commutes

Pimpri, 5th July 2025: Pimpri Chinchwad’s Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) is emerging as a high-frequency, high-capacity public transport network, with over 7,389 bus trips operated daily across five corridors and more than 3.6 lakh passenger journeys every day. Designed for efficiency and speed, the BRTS delivers some of the fastest bus services in the region, with key corridors running buses every 1.5 to 2 minutes during peak hours.

“At a time when urban transport systems are under pressure, Pimpri Chinchwad has shown how timely infrastructure investments in BRTS can transform daily commutes,” said PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh. “With peak frequencies reaching one bus every 90 seconds and reliable travel times, our BRTS is not only easing congestion but also setting the foundation for sustainable, people-centric mobility.”

The Nigdi–Dapodi corridor is the backbone of the network, facilitating over 1.5 lakh daily passenger trips. This corridor connects major destinations including the PCMC Head Office, Swargate, and Shivaji Nagar. Between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., it consistently moves 2,000 to 3,000 passengers per hour, justifying dedicated bus corridors.

Other North–South corridors like Dighi–Alandi and Sangvi–Kiwale also deliver strong performance with peak frequencies of one bus every 2 to 2.5 minutes. In comparison, the Kalewadi–Chikhali and Nashik Phata–Wakad corridors — which run along the East–West axis — currently see lower ridership and operate at a frequency of one bus every 5 to 6 minutes during peak hours.

“These corridors may seem underutilised today, but we’ve planned them based on long-term mobility forecasts,” said Bapu Gaikwad, Head of PCMC’s Urban Mobility Department. “BRTS is not just about present ridership but also about creating a future-ready backbone for a rapidly growing city.”

To support rising demand and improve frequency across all corridors, PCMC, in collaboration with PMPML, is actively working to increase the bus fleet size. This strategic focus will not only help reduce wait times but also ensure more consistent service and route coverage as the city continues to grow.

BRTS buses operate at an average speed of 30 km/h, nearly double the speed of buses in mixed traffic. A 10 km commute takes just 20 minutes on BRTS, compared to 50 minutes without a dedicated lane. This time saving has been a key reason behind the rising popularity of the service.

Additionally, BRTS enables more efficient fleet management. Without dedicated corridors, PMPML would need to deploy nearly twice the number of buses to maintain the same service levels — a major challenge given the current shortfall of around 2,700 buses.

The accessibility of the network is also notable. According to an analysis by ITDP India, around 96% of Pimpri Chinchwad’s population lives within 500 metres of a bus stop, making the BRTS truly inclusive. Surveys conducted by ITDP show that passengers prefer BRTS for its reliability, speed, affordability, and lower crowding.

“Our user surveys have found that major segment of passengers on Nigdi-Dapodi are students of age 18-25. They make up 47% if the users. Other users earn less than Rs 20,000 per month, making it crucial for the city to retain this high quality transit infrastructure,” said Aditya Rane, Senior Associate, Transport Systems and Electric Mobility, ITDP India

The development of the BRTS in Pimpri Chinchwad is strongly aligned with the National Urban Transport Policy (2006), which prioritises the movement of people over vehicles. The 2018 Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Pune Metropolitan Region echoes this approach, recommending expansion of BRTS and bus services over road widening — a direction PCMC has steadily followed.

BRTS highlights

7,389 BRT trips daily in Pimpri Chinchwad

1 bus every 1.5 minutes on Nigdi–Dapodi corridor

Over 3.6 lakh daily BRT commuters

Bus speeds: 30 km/hr on BRT vs 15 km/hr in traffic

20 mins travel time for 10 km vs 50 mins without BRT

Aligned with National Urban Transport Policy for sustainable growth

East–West corridors built for future expansion and city-wide coverage