Electric Bus Success To Boost Public Transport System

April 1, 2019

E-buses in Pune — Image source: pmc.gov.in

In a bid to boost the public transport in the city and to contribute towards Smart Pune, the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has started electric bus services in the city.

According to statistics, the buses are running on seven different routes in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. The response in the last 45 days has been extremely good. The 25 e-buses in the city, which started service from February 13, has earned 62 lakh rupees in ticket fares.

The electric buses are air-conditioned with the same ticket fare as other non-AC buses and every day at least 500 passengers travel in it. The 25 buses are 9 metres in length, with a seating capacity of 32 seats, but can carry up to 50 passengers. Since the e-buses ply only in the day, they are charged in the night at two charging stations created at two depots — Nigdi and Bhekrainagar.

A regular e-bus commuter, Pratik More, who boards at Nigdi, says that the buses are clean and a better option to travel.

“However, the capacity for carrying the passengers on the e-bus is comparatively lower than the normal ones. It becomes problematic to get on the bus during rush hours as the frequency of buses is less. The old buses now should be scrapped and electric buses should be brought in the market at the earliest,” he added.

Shreya Talpade, Law Student, says, “With new electric buses the use of public transport may improve. If there are a number of buses on different routes, I am sure we will have traffic problems resolved by the end of this year.

“I have started taking PMPML electric bus, as I find it convenient and better than a regular bus. With advanced technology used in the bus, one can travel without any hitches,” she added.

Nikhil Kadam, Social Activist, says, “The impact of using e-buses can finally be felt in the city. To boost the public transport system, the PMPML should concentrate on the electric bus project. Also along with that, the old buses should also be maintained till the time we get enough electric buses running on the streets.

“There should be no negligence regarding maintaining the e-buses. There should be a different administration to look after the buses and also the driver should be equipped with the technology to deal with it,” he added.

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