Pune: PMPML to Conduct Fresh Double-Decker Bus Trials on 10 Routes from July 21
Pune, 15th July 2026: The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) is set to conduct a fresh trial of double-decker buses on 10 routes across the city, focusing on corridors that are not served by Metro or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services.
The trial is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, July 21, with key routes including Hadapsar–Wagholi and Hadapsar–Swargate among those selected for evaluation. The move is aimed at assessing the feasibility of introducing double-decker buses on routes where public transport demand remains high but Metro and BRT connectivity is unavailable.
Officials from Switch Mobility, the company that has supplied electric double-decker buses to Mumbai’s BEST undertaking, recently met PMPML officials and confirmed that one bus would be made available for the trials on July 20. The on-road testing will commence the following day, with representatives from both PMPML and Switch Mobility present during the exercise.
Why is PMPML Conducting Another Trial?
PMPML had previously conducted a trial of a double-decker bus in the Hinjawadi area in September 2025. However, the transport utility has decided to reassess the proposal for several reasons.
The Hinjawadi corridor is now set to be served by Metro Line 3, and officials expect that once Metro operations begin, passenger demand for PMPML bus services on that route could decline. In addition, the earlier trial highlighted certain operational challenges, prompting the administration to identify new routes for further evaluation.
PMPML has therefore chosen corridors that do not have Metro or BRT services to better assess the operational viability and passenger response to the double-decker buses.
“A fresh trial of the double-decker bus will be conducted on routes where Metro and BRT services are not available. The objective is to evaluate its suitability on such corridors before taking a decision on its introduction,” said Mahesh Awhad, Chairman and Managing Director, PMPML.
The outcome of the trials will help PMPML determine whether double-decker buses can be introduced as part of its future public transport network in Pune.
