Pune: Travelling by PMPML buses in Pune is set to get costlier, as the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd. (PMPML) has decided to revise its ticket fares after several years. The decision, taken during the board meeting held on May 13, comes amid increasing operational costs, including rising fuel prices and staff salaries.
PMPML currently provides low-cost bus services to over 12 lakh commuters daily across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the PMRDA region. However, the organization has been facing financial losses, prompting the fare revision.
As per the new structure, the existing daily and monthly passes for single municipal limits—Pune or Pimpri-Chinchwad—have been discontinued. The earlier daily pass priced at ₹40 and monthly pass priced at ₹900 have now been replaced with a unified daily pass costing ₹70 and a monthly pass costing ₹1,500, applicable for travel within both municipal areas.
For passengers travelling within the PMRDA jurisdiction, the daily pass has been increased from ₹120 to ₹150. Notably, there is no change in the pass fares for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. The monthly pass for PMRDA commuters remains unchanged.
In addition to the fare hike, PMPML has also introduced a revised stage-wise fare structure based on travel distances, divided into 11 stages covering up to 80 km in 5 to 10 km intervals. This change aims to streamline fare calculations and improve service efficiency.
To further enhance its fleet and service quality, PMPML will soon add 500 new CNG buses funded through a ₹230 crore allocation made in partnership with Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations. These buses are expected to be inducted shortly.
In a move to reduce wage-related expenses, the board has also approved the hiring of necessary staff on a contractual basis through private agencies.
With these changes, PMPML aims to reduce financial strain while continuing to provide improved and efficient public transport to commuters across the metropolitan region.