Pune’s PMPML Witnesses Surge in Passenger Numbers, Revenue in FY 2023-24
Pune, 31st March 2024: During the financial year 2023-24, the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) witnessed a significant increase in passenger numbers, amounting to approximately one and a half crore additional passengers. This surge contributed to a rise in ticket sales revenue by around Rs 78 crore, aiding in the reduction of PMPML’s operational deficit.
PMPML continued to serve the public through approximately 1700 buses operating within Pune, Pimpri, and PMRDA limits. Despite the increasing operational deficit incurred each year, both municipal corporations have been required to allocate additional funds, with PMRDA disbursing an annual amount of Rs. 187 crore, although this year’s allocation is pending.
Efforts to enhance passenger services and increase income have yielded positive results for PMPML. President Sachindra Pratap Singh emphasized the importance of reducing losses while concurrently boosting revenue. Initiatives such as ensuring maximum bus uptime by minimizing breakdowns, conducting route inspections by PMPML officials, and focusing on revenue generation in low-income areas contributed to the organization’s profitability. Notably, PMPML recorded a significant revenue milestone, with a revenue per kilometre surpassing 50 during the last financial year, with August witnessing the highest monthly income of Rs. 57 crore.
However, PMPML faces challenges related to its fleet, with 266 buses set to be decommissioned soon, and 327 buses reaching the end of their operational life after 12 years. This decline in the number of buses may impact service availability. Although the tender process for acquiring 400 new buses is underway, it is expected to take another five to six months for these buses to join the fleet. Consequently, senior officials express concerns about a potential decrease in PMPML’s income due to bus shortages.
In the financial year 2022-23, PMPML reported an income of approximately Rs. 533 crore 40 lakhs, serving approximately 35 crore 56 lakh passengers. In comparison, for the financial year 2023-24, the income increased to approximately Rs. 611 crore 65 lakhs, accommodating approximately 36 crore 50 lakh passengers, reflecting the organization’s efforts to improve its financial performance and expand its passenger base.
