Pune Metro’s newly opened Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar corridor has barred passengers from carrying bicycles into trains and station premises, triggering concern among IT employees and cyclists who depend on bicycles for last-mile travel. The restriction contrasts with the bicycle access permitted on Pune Metro’s Vanaz–Ramwadi and PCMC–Swargate corridors.
The 23.2-kilometre corridor, connecting the Mann-Hinjewadi IT hub with Shivajinagar, was recently inaugurated and currently has 17 stations in service. The corridor was expected to provide an alternative to Pune’s daily traffic congestion, particularly for employees travelling to and from Hinjewadi’s technology parks.
According to a notice published on Pune Metro’s official Instagram and Facebook accounts, “bicycles are not allowed in Puneri Metro”. The administration has advised passengers not to bring bicycles into the metro for a safe and smooth journey. The reported rules apply to bicycles of every type and size, including folding bicycles.
The restrictions also extend beyond the trains. Bicycles are not permitted within the premises of any station on the Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar corridor, and security personnel have been instructed to stop passengers carrying bicycles at the main entrance. The notice therefore prevents commuters from using the metro as part of a combined cycling-and-transit journey.
The decision has become a concern for employees who cycle from their homes to metro stations or use bicycles after getting off the train. Workers travelling to Hinjewadi’s IT Park have said that the distance between a station and their homes or offices can be around three to four kilometres. For these passengers, the ability to carry a bicycle is directly linked to whether the metro can serve their complete daily commute rather than only the longest part of the journey.
Cyclists have asked the management to reconsider the blanket restriction. One proposal is to permit bicycles outside peak hours, when trains and platforms are less crowded. Another is to allow folding bicycles because they occupy less space and can be handled more easily inside stations and trains.
The issue has also highlighted the different operating policies followed by metro systems serving the same city. On the PCMC–Swargate and Vanaz–Ramwadi corridors operated by MahaMetro, passengers are permitted to carry their own bicycles, provided they do not obstruct other travellers. The reported difference in rules has led commuters to question why bicycle access is available on two corridors but completely prohibited on the newly opened Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar route.
The central question now is whether Puneri Metro will retain the full ban or consider a restricted arrangement for folding bicycles or off-peak travel. The administration’s response to the cyclists’ request will determine whether bicycle use can be integrated with the corridor’s last-mile travel system.
