Pune: The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd. (PMPML), a key component of the city’s public transport system, is set to expand its fleet and workforce by outsourcing both drivers and conductors through private contractors—a departure from its earlier practice of recruiting conductors internally.
As part of its expansion plan, PMPML aims to introduce 1,600 new buses into service. In the initial phase, 600 buses will be added—400 of which will be leased, and 200 will be owned by PMPML. So far, 146 leased buses have already joined the fleet.
Traditionally, contractors provided buses along with drivers, while PMPML conducted in-house recruitment for conductors. However, this approach is being revised. The administration now plans to bring in 1,000 drivers and 1,000 conductors on a contractual basis through these private operators, citing staff shortages and the need for quick deployment.
According to PMPML Joint Managing Director Nitin Narvekar, no internal recruitment process will be conducted at this time. Instead, contractors will handle not only bus operations but also the provision of essential staff, ensuring there is no disruption in service due to a lack of manpower.
This new strategy reflects the agency’s effort to manage growing commuter demands without overburdening its internal resources, as it works towards making public transportation more accessible and efficient in the Pune Metropolitan Region.
