Pimpri-Chinchwad: BRTS Carries 2.4 Lakh Daily Commuters (PHOTOS)

The Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) operated by Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has emerged as a crucial public transport service in Pimpri-Chinchwad, carrying 2.4 lakh commuters every day. The PMPML data shows that nearly 22% of the 11 lakh daily PMPML passengers in the Pune Metropolitan Region use BRTS corridors in the PCMC area, making it one of the most efficient and widely-used mass transit systems in the city.

Pimpri-Chinchwad currently has five operational BRTS corridors—Nigdi-Dapodi, Dighi-Alandi, Sangavi-Kiwale, Kalewadi-Chikhali, and Nashik Phata-Wakad—running across 111 routes and connecting key areas across the East-West and North-South belts of the city. These corridors form the backbone of PCMC’s public transport infrastructure.

“Rainbow BRTS is a vital service for our growing city. It provides affordable and reliable transport to lakhs of people who depend on it daily,” said PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh. “We are committed to strengthening public transport by expanding BRTS corridors and increasing the number of buses," he added.

As per estimates, around 96% of Pimpri-Chinchwad’s population lives within 500 metres of a bus stop. The BRTS, with its dedicated lanes and frequency of 1.5 to 6 minutes during peak hours, offers faster commutes and helps reduce road congestion by moving more people in less space.

“People often think BRTS takes up too much space, but the data shows otherwise,” said Joint City Engineer (Mobility) Bapu Gaikwad. “In the Nigdi–Dapodi corridor, just 15% of road space used by BRTS carries 5,600 people per hour. In contrast, over 50% of the space used by mixed traffic carries only about 7,200. That’s the efficiency BRTS brings.”

The PCMC has already begun the process of strengthening the public transport fleet. A total of 2,400 buses are being added through multiple schemes and procurement drives. This includes 400 new CNG buses, 1,000 from state and municipal support, and another 1,000 through central schemes.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) recommends that cities like Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad together should aim for 6,500 buses by 2025 and 8,100 by 2031 to meet rising transport demand and service level benchmarks.

BRTS Network in PCMC

5 corridors: Nigdi–Dapodi, Dighi–Alandi, Sangavi–Kiwale, Kalewadi–Chikhali, Nashik Phata–Wakad

111 routes

1.5 lakh daily riders in PCMC limits

2.4 lakh daily BRTS riders across Pune Metro Region

Fast and Reliable

Dedicated BRT lanes allow speeds of 30 km/h (vs 15 km/h in mixed traffic)

Average 10 km commute takes only 20 minutes

BRTS frequency: Every 1.5 to 6 minutes during peak hours

The BRTS operates across five dedicated corridors in Pimpri Chinchwad, connecting the North-South and East-West regions of the city through 111 routes. These include the Nigdi–Dapodi, Dighi–Alandi, Sangavi–Kiwale, Kalewadi–Chikhali, and Nashik Phata–Wakad corridors.

Together, these corridors see a combined total of approximately 4,600 trips daily and cater to more than 2.45 lakh passengers.

The Nigdi–Dapodi corridor alone handles over 1,800 trips per day and carries more than 90,000 commuters

Dighi–Alandi corridor with over 1,100 trips and 65,800 daily riders.

The Sangavi–Kiwale corridor records around 1,100 trips and 59,500 daily passengers

Kalewadi–Chikhali and Nashik Phata–Wakad corridors contribute nearly 19,000 and 10,600 commuters respectively.

Why People Prefer BRTS

Affordable: Avg monthly cost Rs 750 (~6% of income)

Accessible: 96% of the PCMC population lives within 500m of a bus stop

Reliable: High frequency and dedicated corridors