Click it and Unblock the Notifications
The Maha Metro has started working on a feeder bus improvement plan by appointing a consultant to strengthen last-mile connectivity at Metro stations in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. The plan covers both existing and upcoming Metro routes to help commuters travel easily between stations and nearby areas.
Commuters' Disappointment
However, many commuters are disappointed, saying these steps should have been planned earlier. They feel that reaching Metro stations, buses, or autos is still a challenge. A Maha Metro official stated the consultant will find ways to enhance feeder services, adding that while PMPML is already running buses from several stations, there is room for improvement to encourage people to use public transport instead of private vehicles.
Regular Metro user Amit Joshi from Yerawada said that feeder buses were added only after repeated requests, and several routes remain uncovered. Moreover, commuters have complained about poor mobile network at underground Metro stations like Swargate and Mandai, which delays ticket payments. Metro officials said service providers are working to install signal boosters soon.
Daily Ridership
With daily ridership reaching 2 lakh, Metro trains now run every 7 minutes during peak hours and every 10 minutes during non-peak hours. Still, passengers say that increasing train frequency alone is not enough; better connectivity is crucial.
Activists' Opinions
Citizen activist Sanjay Shitole mentioned that PMPML should have planned feeder buses during the station construction phase. He added that midi-buses would be useful, especially in central city areas. A Maha Metro survey found that only 30% of passengers use feeder buses, showing a need for major improvements.
Another activist, Vijay Patil, said that enough funds should be allocated for feeder services in future project reports. He pointed out that PMPML lacks sufficient resources, which could delay better connectivity.
