To cater to the increasing commuter population of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) has decided to induct 303 buses on rent. This means that PMPML’s fleet of buses will reach the long targeted 1600-mark.

The decision was taken also considering the geographical expansion of the city as buses are also needed for plying on new routes. PMPML will be paying contractors Rs 26.10 per km plus service taxes for the buses it takes on rent.

Currently, the Corporation’s fleet comprises a total of 1,286 buses. Of these, PMPML owns 1,087 buses while 199 have been taken on rent.

PMPML plans to have an arrangement under which which 70 per cent of buses are owned while the remaining are taken on rent.

It was at a meeting of the Pune Mahnagar Parivahan Mahamandal board of directors in January this year that it was decided to increase the fleet count by taking additional buses on rent. PMPML entered into a contract with various companies to procure 168 buses on rent.

“Out of the 168 buses that are to be taken on rent, 90 have already arrived,” said PMPML managing director Subbarao Patil. But even after this decision, PMPML still faced a short fall of around 125 buses. It then issued tenders for inducting 135 more buses to reach its targeted fleet count of 1,600 on February 1 this year.

From among the bidders, PMPML awarded contracts to five companies. It will receive 27 buses from each of the five contractors on rent.

In addition, each contractor will have to keep two additional buses with PMPML to press into service if the need arises. These buses will be taken on rent for a period of five years.

“PMPML has now decided to induct 135 buses on rent. The decision was taken at a meeting held recently,” said Patil. These 135 buses are expected to join PMPML’s fleet within three months.