PMPML to convert old CNG/diesel buses to electric buses

On Jan 28, 2022

Pune : NpNews24 Online – The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML), the public transport utility, has decided to convert the buses in its fleet that are over 10 years old to electric buses.

This was revealed by PMPML CMD Laxminarayan Mishra.

Giving details about more such initiatives to boost revenue of the public transport body, Mishra said 11 properties belonging to PMPML will be developed commercially for revenue generation. The public transport body will set up an e-depot, where private vehicle owners could also charge their e-vehicles. It has already announced a plan to launch e-cabs on the lines of Ola and Uber.

Successful experiment of e-buses

PMPML consulted the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) on the old buses’ conversion from diesel/CNG to electric. Initially, 10 buses would be converted to e-buses on an experimental basis. An old PMPML bus has already been converted to an e-bus, which has been running successfully. This will help the transport body to save on fuel and boost its revenue.

Commercial utilisation of properties

PMPML will develop 11 of its properties on a commercial basis for increasing its revenue. A proposal in this regard was approved by the board of directors recently, said Mishra. The properties at its depots, including Shivajinagar, Pune Station, Hadapsar, Swargate, Sutarwadi, Bhosari, Pimpri, Nigdi depots; Swargate and Nigdi Central Workshops and Bhosari Central Facility Point, will be used for commercial development.

24×7 e-cab service

PMPML plans to run e-cabs at auto-rickshaw fares in and around the city. This will be a round-the-clock service. Some cabs will have women drivers for an exclusive women’s service. Online and offline tickets will be made available to commuters. A proposal in this connection is under consideration of the board of directors. PMPML conducted a survey to find out its feasibility and got a positive response from 92 percent participants, said Mishra.

Charging stations

Seven charging stations will be set up at prime locations on a PPP basis. PMPML buses as well as private vehicles will be able to charge their e-vehicles at these charging stations. The charging stations for e-vehicles will be set up at Deccan Gymkhana Bus Stop, Mahatma Gandhi Bus Stop (Pulgate), near Katraj Zoo, Baner-Sus road, Bhosari BRT Terminal, Annabhau Sathe Terminal, near Bhakti-Shakti Chowk and Hinjewadi Phase II.

Rs 180-crore payout

PMPML will have to pay Rs 180 crore to the private bus contractors, who had moved a tribunal. They will have to be paid over Rs 79.92 crore while over Rs 99.93 crore will be paid as Covid-19 shortfall. Though PMPML will take this money from both civic bodies, it is a financial burden on the transport utility.

Pact with Google

Commuters will be able to track PMPML buses on their mobile phones. They will be able to book online bus tickets too. It will launch a website and an app for this purpose. Passengers will be able to pay bus fares through Google Pay, Phone Pe. They will also get their desired bus route and will know the buses running on that route on Google. An agreement was signed between PMPML and Google in this regard.

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