Pune Restores Eco Commuting with Metrozip
In a major step towards restoring sustainable commuting in Pune’s tech district, the Metrozip bus service is poised for a comeback within a month. Once a critical transport lifeline for Hinjewadi’s vast IT workforce, the service is now being revived amidst growing demand for dependable and green mobility solutions.
The relaunch is being jointly coordinated by the Hinjewadi Industries Association (HIA), Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), and the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO). HIA has partnered with Cocorides (Routematic), a smart mobility firm, to resume operations. Approvals from MIDC and the RTO are in final stages, with operations likely to begin by late August.
Before the pandemic-induced suspension in March 2020, Metrozip was transporting over 6,000 daily commuters across Hinjewadi’s tech parks. With 113 buses and partners like Mahindra Logistics and Prasanna Purple, the service dramatically reduced private vehicle usage and helped decongest the area, aligning with Pune’s climate action goals. Its abrupt halt during the Covid-19 lockdown coincided with the work-from-home shift, effectively ending demand for shared transit. But with offices now reopening and hybrid work models giving way to full-time in-office attendance, the city’s tech belt is seeing a surge in traffic—making Metrozip’s return both urgent and strategic.
HIA official confirmed that proposals have been sent and stakeholder approvals are anticipated soon. “The revival of Metrozip is not just about transport—it’s about reducing carbon emissions, improving work-life balance, and ensuring urban mobility equity,” he noted. Backed by technological features like GPS tracking, digital payments, and pre-registration portals, Metrozip had won over commuters for its punctuality and predictability. The service will retain its variants, which are Metrozip Green (non-AC), Metrozip Delight (AC), and Office Ride partnerships, likely with enhancements tailored for today’s post-pandemic realities. Authorities, too, are backing the initiative. Pune RTO official assured regulatory support, and MIDC’s Engineer echoed the importance of easing Hinjewadi’s chronic traffic congestion through public transport interventions.
As Pune eyes a net-zero and inclusive urban future, Metrozip’s revival could be a pivotal move in bringing not just transport relief, but a model for replicable, sustainable urban mobility. With an estimated operational scale comparable to pre-2020 levels, the service is expected to reclaim its role as a backbone for daily IT commutes, now with a sharper focus on eco-efficiency and commuter dignity. If successfully reintroduced, Metrozip may well become a case study for how Indian cities can rethink last-mile and mid-mile connectivity, reduce vehicular emissions, and reclaim urban spaces for people, not just private cars.
Pune Restores Eco Commuting with Metrozip
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