The Maharashtra government plans a pilot of an Electric Rapid Transit System (e-RTS) that is intended to give commuters a metro-like travel experience while operating on regular roads. The system will use three-coach fully electric vehicles running on rubber tyres, combining bus flexibility with higher metro capacity. The decision to pursue the pilot was taken at a review meeting on urban transport for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on July 27. Officials said the move aims to provide a higher-capacity, cleaner alternative to existing surface transport.

The pilot will cover a 17-km corridor linking Godown Chowk in Bhosari with Wakad, and will pass through Kudalwadi Chowk, Auto Cluster, Kalewadi Phata and Jagtap Dairy Chowk. The route is designed to connect residential, industrial and commercial areas and to improve links for commuters travelling between Bhosari, Wakad, Hinjawadi, Kalewadi, Kudalwadi, Ravet and Punawale. Many of these areas currently rely on limited municipal bus services, and planners expect the new system to provide greater capacity and predictability for daily travel. The corridor will be tested for around 18 months before any wider roll-out decision.

Each three-coach vehicle will have capacity for up to 240 passengers and will feature low-floor, step-free boarding for universal accessibility. The vehicles will be equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi and passenger amenities to improve comfort and to attract a broader ridership. Services are expected to operate at a frequency of 10 minutes and to run for up to 23 hours a day, providing both peak and off-peak coverage. Authorities have described the concept as a way to deliver higher throughput on city roads without laying new rail track.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed officials to integrate the e-RTS with Pune Metro, Indian Railways and other public transport to enable seamless transfers. The integration aims to improve last-mile connectivity and convenience for commuters. Planners will evaluate expansion across the High Capacity Mass Transit Route and the existing Bus Rapid Transit network if trials meet targets.