1 month ago
Pune to Pilot Road‑Based Electric Rapid Transit System
Pune and its nearby city Pimpri‑Chinchwad are going to try a new kind of bus that looks and feels like a metro train but runs on regular roads.
The bus will have three connected cars and can carry 240 people.
It will travel on a 17‑kilometre route from Bhosari to Wakad.
The government will test it for about a year and a half.
If it works well, they will add more buses on the same route and link it with the existing metro and train lines so people can travel easily.
Maharashtra government fast‑tracks a pilot of the Electric Rapid Transit System (e‑RTS) on roads.
The pilot covers a 17‑km corridor from Bhosari to Wakad in Pimpri‑Chinchwad and Pune.
Three‑coach, double‑articulated electric vehicles can carry up to 240 passengers and run 23 hours a day.
Trial is expected to last 18 months, with plans to expand across the HCMTR and BRT networks if successful.
Vehicles will be charged overnight and at stops, and the project aims to integrate with the metro, railways, and other public transport.
- Who
- Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
- What
- Pilot launch of the Electric Rapid Transit System (e‑RTS) on roads
- Where
- Pimpri‑Chinchwad and Pune, corridor from Bhosari to Wakad
- When
- Decision made on July 27, 2024; trial expected to run for 18 months
- Why
- To provide a metro‑like travel experience without tracks, improve connectivity, and reduce congestion
Key facts
- Pilot corridor length
- 17 km
- Trial duration
- 18 months
- Vehicle capacity
- 240 passengers per three‑coach vehicle
- Vehicle type
- double‑articulated electric vehicle on rubber tyres
- Frequency
- approximately 10 minutes (up to 23 hours a day)
- Charging method
- overnight depot charging plus opportunity charging at stops
Quotes
Bapusaheb Gaikwad
PCMC Joint City Engineer
“"Once the trial is successful, the plan is to expand e-RTS services across the entire HCMTR and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network while ensuring seamless integration with the Metro, railways and other public transport,"”
indianexpress.com
“"They will be charged overnight at the depot, like electric buses, while the batteries will also receive opportunity charging at designated stops during the day,"”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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