Pune: PMPML suspends Airport bus service on all 6 routes due to lack of response

Pune: The PMPML has suspended its airport bus service known as the Airport Bus for Business and Hotel Interconnectivity (ABHI) Bus Service. It was operated on six routes and was available at regular ticket fares. Buses used to halt at all bus stops.

Yet it was suspended on all routes due a lack of response from passengers and low revenue generation.

The service was operated through e-buses to and from the Lohegaon Airport. The ABHI Bus Service routes were planned considering business and hotel connectivity. Therefore, its rates were special earlier. Since the rates were not affordable, the then PMPML CMD Omprakash Bakoria revised them and made the service available at regular fares.

However, the routes not only failed to generate revenue but also had a lack of response from passengers. Therefore, the ABHI Bus Service was suspended on all six routes.

The six ABHI Bus Service routes

The six routes, on which the bus service was available, were as follows:

*Hinjawadi to Lohegaon Airport: Maan Phase 3 Shivaji Chowk, Pune University Main Gate, PMC Bhavan via Pune Station

*Bhekarai Nagar (Hadapsar) to Airport: Hadapsar Gadital, Magarpatta, Kharadi Bypass Chowk, Hotel Hyatt

*Nigdi to Airport: Chinchwad Station, Nashik Phata, Landewadi Corner, Bhosari, Magazine Chowk, Vishrantwadi

*Swargate to Airport: Pulgate, West End Talkies, Pune Station, Hotel Blue Diamond, Shastri Nagar Chowk

*Nigdi to Airport: Chinchwad Station, Nashik Phata, Wakdewadi, Pune Station, Shastri Nagar Road, Hotel Hyatt

*Kothrud Stand to Airport: Goodluck Chowk, Lokmangal, PMC Bhavan, Pune Station, Hotel Blue Diamond, Golf Club

Revenue in November 2024: Rs 1,59,055

Number of passengers: 14,050

Number of buses: 02 (e-buses)

Frequency: Every 40 minutes

QUOTE

“The airport bus service was launched on six routes for passengers at regular fares. However, there was a lack of response from passengers and revenue was not generated as expected. Therefore, the service was suspended on all six routes.” – Satish Gavhane, Chief Transport Manager