PMPML to operate women-only bus services in 19 new routes in Pune from tomorrow

To address safety concerns and provide comfortable travel for women passengers, the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) will expand its women-only bus service from the existing 14 to 33 routes starting Thursday, June 12.

The decision was taken following a data-driven approach and in response to the increasing rush in peak hours and growing demand for safer public transport for women.

The services will operate during peak hours with morning departures typically scheduled between 8 am and 9.45 am, and in the evening between 6 pm and 6.40 pm.

“While issuing tickets on crowded routes, we began recording the number of men, women, and children on ticketing machines. This helped us gather data on the passenger demographics and travel patterns,” said Deepa Mudhol Munde, Chairperson and Managing Director of PMPML.

The 19 new routes have been carefully selected based on passenger data and connect residential areas to business areas, educational hubs, and transport terminals. Among the new routes are Katraj to Shivajinagar (Route 2A), Upper Depot to Shivajinagar (Route 13), Dhayari DSK to Bhekrai Nagar (Route 15), Alandi to Swargate (Route 29), Dhankawadi to Narveer Tanaji Wadi (Route 38), and Hadapsar to Nigdi (Route 149).

“After analysing the collected data, we got some routes with increasing female passengers. So we decided to have an additional women’s passenger exclusive bus on busy peak-hour routes. The new service would improve the commuting experience for women passengers, while these buses will be a mix of both electric and CNG-based,” added Munde.

Madhavi Netake, a civil services aspirant and a resident of Dhankawadi who regularly travels to Shivaji Nagar for coaching classes, welcomed the initiative. “Travelling on crowded buses during peak hours has been uncomfortable. Getting a seat was difficult, and the overcrowding made the journey tiring. Some men standing so close in packed buses often made me feel unsafe. The women-only services will make my daily commute secure and allow me time to sit and study online lectures,” said Netake.