Pune: The transport utility is a victim of relentless and deteriorating city traffic that is increasing the number of bus breakdowns and there seems to be no solutions in sight, PMPML CMD Mahesh Awhad said on Friday.In the first six months of 2026, bus breakdowns increased by 13% compared to the corresponding period last year. In 2025, between Jan and June, 10,746 buses suffered technical snags. This year, the same rested at 12,206. The transport body’s bus breakdown numbers have been climbing steadily over the last few years. Over 21,000 buses suffered breakdowns in 2025, compared to 19,446 in 2024.“We are the victims here. The traffic situation in Pune is costing us dearly. It has been resulting in a high number of breakdowns and delays. Resultantly, PMPML is losing out on passengers and facing losses. People are reluctant to trust the public bus service,” Awhad told TOI.Currently, PMPML operates a fleet of 1,961 buses — 684 are owned by the transport utility, while the remaining are operated by 11 private contractors. Around 535 of the buses are electric vehicles run by private operators, with more e-buses set to join the fleet in the coming months.Awhad said electric buses account for a significant share of the breakdowns. “Battery performance starts degrading after a few years of operations. It is not unique to Pune and is being witnessed by transport undertakings across the country.”He said, “Intermittent charging was introduced so that buses could go back to depots during the afternoon non-peak hours, recharge and be ready for the evening rush. However, traffic is so severe that buses are unable to reach depots on time. The onset of the monsoon has only worsened the situation.”PMPML plans to expand its fleet significantly by the year-end with the addition of 1,000 company-owned buses and 600 hired buses.Meanwhile, Awhad said maintenance of PMPML-owned buses had improved substantially. “Data shows that breakdowns involving PMPML-owned buses have reduced and that is an achievement. Most snags are occurring in hired buses, especially the electric ones,” he said.He mentioned the traffic gridlock on Nagar Road on June 24 as an example of how prolonged congestion affected operations. “Several buses remained stranded for hours, causing major revenue losses. Unlike private electric vehicles, PMPML buses operate continuously for 200km-250km after starting the day with nearly 98% battery charge. Our vehicles are subjected to far more demanding operating conditions,” he added.Commuter groups rejected traffic as the sole explanation for the growing number of bus breakdowns.PMP Pravasi Manch activist Sanjay Shitole said, “I find it difficult to believe that traffic alone is responsible. Poor maintenance and operational issues also contribute. The state govt has not been committed to PMPML services. Frequent change in leadership has prevented long-term planning and maintenance standards have suffered.”Regular commuter and student Shantanu Yogi said passengers were tired of repeated explanations without visible improvement. “We don’t want excuses as commuters. There is a new reason for breakdowns every few months, but the problem only gets worse. What people want are concrete solutions, not repeated justifications,” he added.
