Pune’s plan to introduce 25 electric double-decker buses is bringing a new capacity option to a public transport system under pressure from rising travel demand. But the bigger test will not be the number of buses added to the fleet. It will be whether the city can identify suitable corridors, maintain the vehicles reliably and integrate them into a network that already struggles with congestion and uneven service.
The proposed buses are part of a wider effort to expand mass transit capacity across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and the surrounding metropolitan region. Publicly available tender records show a proposal for 25 air-conditioned electric double-decker buses, including their operation and maintenance under a gross-cost contract. For a dense city, the attraction is straightforward. A double-decker can carry more passengers without requiring additional road space compared with deploying several conventional buses. That could make the model useful on high-demand corridors where passenger volumes are strong and road capacity is limited. However, Pune double decker buses cannot simply be assigned to existing routes. Their greater height creates additional constraints involving overhead electrical lines, tree canopies, bridges, underpasses and other roadside infrastructure. Earlier trials also highlighted the need to examine such physical barriers before regular operations begin.
Route planning has therefore become a central issue. The city transport authority had indicated in June that route identification would be undertaken again after earlier trials, with infrastructure checks forming part of the assessment. This suggests that the success of Pune double decker buses will depend as much on corridor selection as on procurement. There is also an operational question. Pune’s public bus network has faced pressure from fleet availability, maintenance and declining reliability. A recent state economic survey showed that the average number of buses operating daily fell from 1,658 in 2024 to 1,558 in 2025, while daily ridership also declined. Adding larger vehicles without strengthening maintenance, scheduling and depot capacity could limit the expected benefit.
From a sustainability perspective, electric double-deckers could improve passenger capacity without adding tailpipe emissions. Yet their environmental value will ultimately depend on high utilisation, dependable service and the ability to attract commuters away from private vehicles. The immediate priority, therefore, is not simply putting taller buses on Pune’s roads. It is building a reliable operating system around them, with safe corridors, accessible stops, predictable schedules and adequate maintenance. If those fundamentals are addressed, the new buses could help Pune move more people with less road space. If not, additional fleet capacity may do little to change the daily travel experience.
