Pune: PMPML Spent ₹13.31 Crore On Repairing Breakdown Buses In 3 Years

Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) is facing major challenges as it continues to deal with frequent bus breakdowns, falling passenger numbers and a huge financial loss due to a decrease in footfall.

According to official data, PMPML has spent more than Rs 13.31 crore on maintaining breakdown buses over the last 3 years. The data could be more, as on average PMPML is spending Rs 2,500 on each faulty bus.

Nitin Narvekar, Joint Managing Director of PMPML, speaking to The Free Press Journal, said, "This is an average amount being spent on buses breaking down, including their maintenance charge, labour and spare parts. In the summer season, the number of breakdowns increases due to heat. However, the technical team is active and the maintenance work is going good. Currently, 322 buses are more than 10 years old in the fleet. As per the requirement and norms there should be 60 buses over 1 lakh population. Accordingly, at least 4,800 buses need to be maintained in the fleet for Pune. We have sent the proposal of demand of new buses. Accordingly, 400 additional CNG buses will be added in the fleet by the end of the month and rest will be added in a phase-wise manner."

According to the official data, in the last three years, the public transport body recorded a total of 53,243 bus breakdowns. The situation has worsened year after year. In 2022, 14,015 buses broke down, followed by 17,784 in 2023, and a steep rise to 21,444 breakdowns in 2024. These included both PMPML-owned and leased buses, with leased ones consistently showing higher failure rates. So far, in 2025, 4,118 buses have already broken down in just three months.

Moreover, PMPML has witnessed a sharp decline in daily footfall. The footfall decreased by over 2.25 crore in the financial year 2024-25 compared to the previous year leading to loss of Rs 47 crore.

Poorly maintained buses, lack of facilities and popularity of Pune Metro are the main reasons for the loss and decrease in footfall.

Despite operating around 1,800 buses across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the Pune Metropolitan Region in 11 out of 12 months of the financial year 2024–25, monthly revenue failed to reach ₹50 crore. Only in August 2024 did it hit Rs 57 crore. Additionally, the daily ridership fell from over 12 lakh to 10 lakh passengers.