Pune’s bus fleet is struggling, with only half the required capacity, according to a new study. Experts urge immediate action for improvement.
Urban transport planner Bhaumik Gowande pointed out that we need new buses. Plus, we should replace the old ones. This would help boost the fleet’s capacity. He believes that if we optimize bus routes and ensure enough vehicles, we could see a 30% increase in ridership. Currently, about 10 lakh passengers use the buses each day.
But it’s not just Pune that’s struggling. A study by ITDP shows that none of Maharashtra’s top eight cities have the right bus-to-population ratio. Vasai Virar is the worst off, with only eight buses for every lakh people.
Experts are calling for quick action. Expanding the fleet and optimizing routes could really help. This would ease congestion and make public transport better for everyone in Pune.