Maha Metro expands feeder services, enhances accessibility

Maha Metro intends to collaborate with Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) for enhancing feeder bus services from additional stations to bolster last-mile connectivity. This initiative comes in the wake of PMPML's commencement of a service from Ramwadi Metro station to Lohegaon airport on 6 March, which has reportedly led to increased footfall at the station. An official from Maha Metro expressed the organisation's commitment to facilitating easier access to stations by expanding feeder services. Initially operational from Civil Court, Nal Stop, and Garware College stations since August 2023, PMPML's feeder buses witnessed a decline in the number of trips and were eventually suspended due to poor response. Maha Metro now proposes to reconfigure these services from the stations mentioned above. Regular commuters have suggested deploying buses during peak hours on nearby routes for enhanced accessibility. Suggestions include deploying smaller buses to operate routes connecting areas like Karvenagar and Prabhat Road from Nal Stop station. Residents advocate for a comprehensive study of routes within a three to four kilometres radius from the Metro stations to optimise feeder services. Moreover, commuters emphasise the importance of well-planned routes to generate better responses. Proposals include planning trips from Garware College station through Shastri Road to Dandekar Bridge and back, aiming to connect people from the Sinhagad Road area to the Metro. In addition to enhancing feeder bus services, Metro stations are set to introduce share-an-auto services in the near future. This decision stems from discussions held at a meeting convened by a city-based forum addressing transport issues involving autorickshaw unions and Maha Metro officials.