Only 1 in 5 residents has access to buses every 5 mins: Pune PMPML study

A new study by Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) reveals that only one in five residents of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad have access to a bus that runs every five minutes. The People Near Transit (PNT) 2026 Study, conducted with technical support from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), found that while 94% of the population can access public transport within a 5-10 minute walk, frequent service coverage has dropped from 66% in 2019 to just 21% today.

The areas with frequent buses are mainly concentrated along Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridors. The study identifies 16 transit deserts, eight in Pune and eight in Pimpri-Chinchwad, where bus frequency has failed to keep up with demand. PMPML Chairman and Managing Director Mahesh Awhad said the findings point to a clear path forward, including fleet augmentation, route rationalisation, improved frequency, better bus stop infrastructure, pedestrian connectivity, and integration with the Metro and BRTS networks.