Pune Metro: Last Mile Connectivity Gets Boost With New Feeder Bus Service

The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) and Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) launched a feeder bus service from Ramwadi to Kharadi.

As part of the last-mile connectivity programme for the Pune Metro,the facility would link Ramwadi metro station to educational institutions, IT parks, the Pune airport, special economic zones, and residential areas to provide easy access to commuters.

The service was launched by Sanjay Kolte, chief managing director of PMPML. Vinod Kumar Agarwal, the director of Maha-Metro, Executive Director Dr Hemant Sonawane (Administration/ Public Relations), General Manager Captain Dr Rajendra Saner Patil (Human Resources), was among the other authorities in attendance.

The new feeder bus service will run seven km and make 17-20 stops between Ramwadi station, World Trade Centre (WTC), and EON IT Park-Kharadi. It will run two buses every 30 minutes from 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM, seven days a week.

On its 29-kilometer route from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Station (PCMC) to Civil Court and Vanaz to Ramwadi stations, metro services are reportedly operating at full capacity, reported Hindustan Times.

Officials stated that future adjustments to the service’s frequency will be made in reaction to customer demand.

“The service will facilitate residents of Chandannagar, Vimannagar, Kharadi, and employees working in the IT Park,” said Shravan Hardikar, managing director (MD), Maha-Metro, as quoted by the national daily.

The new feeder bus route was planned with several elements in mind, including the minimum distance, travel duration, existing road conditions, number of bus stops, population density in the area, and the number of employees working nearby.

The bus stops at the World Trade Centre Gates 3 and 5, Wadgaonsheri, Vimannagar, Chandannagar, Kharadi Bypass, Janak Baba Dargah, Silver Chowk, Raghoji Chavan Chowk, Gera Towers, Gera Financial Zone, and EON IT Park Phase 2 are among those listed by PMPML authorities. Meanwhile, the ticket prices range from Rs 5 to Rs 15, depending on how far you want to go from Ramwadi station.

The Maha Metro expanded metro services until Ramwadi on March 6 this year, connecting it to the Lohegaon airport through an AC feeder bus service.