Pune: People can now travel by AC buses in the Central part of the city for just Rs 10
Pune, 2 March 2021: People in Pune can now travel through the city’s central part (Peth areas) by AC buses in just 10 rupees. The scheme had been presented in the municipal budget and will commence from May 2021.
Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) will bring fifty buses in the first phase to implement this scheme. The overall estimate for this scheme is 13.47 crore. The funds are allocated in the Municipal corporation’s budget, and the standing committee has also granted permission to purchase new buses.
Earlier, a scheme was introduced to travel in 5 rupees by ordinary buses in the cities’ central part. Similarly, the scheme has now been made available for AC buses too. Thirty routes have been selected for this scheme. This service will be helpful for students, workers, senior citizens in the city.
85 crore rupees funds allocated for Atal bus service
The PMPML had introduced the Atal bus service scheme to provide affordable and fast service to the citizen travelling to the nearest locations. According to the scheme, people can travel within 5 km in 5 rupees.
The scheme received a good response from the citizen and gained popularity within a short period. After seeing the response, the authority decided to enhance this scheme, for which 85 crore rupees were allocated for the Atal bus service. Currently, the buses are running on six routes within 3 to 6 km, including stations like Pune station, Swargate, Pulgate, Shivajinagar, Municipal corporation.
Currently, PMPML holds 2431 buses in its fleet. It includes 1475 buses of its own, 150 e-buses, and 8o6 CNG buses on a rent basis. The standing committee has planned to expand this number up to 3281, and more buses will be brought by the authorities, including 500 e buses and 350 midi buses.
The PMC will also allocate 376 crore rupees for PMPML authorities to manage the upcoming year’s services. Out of this, 308 crore rupees will be allocated for the revenue deficit, seven crores for free pass facilities for students between 5th to 10th standard, 9.50 crore rupees for specially-abled, passenger passes 3.50 crore for various scheme passes, and 50 crores for buying new buses.
