Pune: PMPML’s Losses Mount to ₹766 Crore; Only 2 of 472 Routes Profitable | Route Rationalization Likely
Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has reported a staggering monetary loss of ₹766 crore for the financial year 2024-25, a significant increase from ₹696 crore in the previous fiscal. Out of the 472 routes operated daily by approximately 1,600 buses, only two routes — Swargate to Katraj and PMC bus stop to Nigdi — are currently profitable.
Officials revealed that PMPML’s per km expense stands at ₹114, while its per km income is just ₹53, resulting in a loss of ₹61 per km. The transport body covers a daily travel distance of 3.6 lakh km across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the PMRDA region. The biggest losses come from 88 routes spanning 21-30 km, which have collectively caused a loss of ₹282 crore in a year.
To address the mounting losses, PMPML has initiated route rationalisation, a process aimed at reworking and rescheduling unprofitable routes. Deepa Mudhol Munde, Chairman and Managing Director of PMPML, stated, “Route rationalisation is a continuous effort to transform PMPML into a profit-making organisation. With the addition of new buses, we will rework loss-making routes.”
A senior official added that the transport body plans to drop non-earning routes after a thorough study of operations. “We will analyse each route’s income and losses and adjust schedules for morning, afternoon, and evening slots. Bus frequency will also be increased post-rationalisation,” the official said anonymously.
Despite earning ₹1.5 crore daily from passenger transport, PMPML’s expenses, including employee salaries, contractor bus rentals, and non-passenger transport costs, have significantly contributed to its financial woes. Jugal Rathi, President of PMP Pravasi Manch, emphasised the need for commuter-centric services, stating, “Public transport is an essential service. PMPML must focus on providing quality service to citizens, irrespective of profit or loss.”
With losses increasing sevenfold over the past 11 years — from ₹99 crore to ₹766 crore — PMPML faces an uphill battle to achieve financial stability while maintaining its commitment to public transportation.
