1 week ago
PMPML Bus Crashes Kill 60, Despite Fewer Accidents
Pune’s public buses have been involved in many serious crashes.
Sixty people died in crashes involving these buses from 2024 through August of FY2026-27.
The total number of crashes went down in the latest full financial year, but the number of deaths went up slightly.
In the first five months of FY2026-27, private contractors’ buses were involved in most reported crashes and deaths.
Some commuters say buses are often driven too fast and do not always follow traffic rules.
PMPML says it is training drivers to drive more safely.
The training includes traffic rules, speed limits, bus stops, and identifying dangerous road locations.
PMPML says drivers can be suspended or dismissed after investigations.
The corporation has proposed using dashcams, but its board has not approved them yet.
PMPML buses were involved in 61 accidents causing 24 deaths in 2024-25.
Accidents fell to 43 in 2025-26, but deaths rose to 25.
From April through August of FY2026-27, 23 accidents killed 11 people.
Private contractors accounted for 16 of those accidents and nine deaths.
PMPML says driver training is ongoing, while proposed dashcams await board approval.
- Who
- PMPML buses, their drivers, private contractors, commuters, and people affected by the crashes.
- What
- Fatal bus crashes have continued even as the overall number of accidents declined in 2025-26.
- Where
- The crashes occurred in Pune, including a fatal incident on Sinhagad Road.
- When
- The data covers 2024-25, 2025-26, and April through August of FY2026-27; the latest fatal crash occurred on Monday.
- Why
- Commuters attribute some incidents to rash driving and traffic-rule violations, while PMPML says accident causes vary and that driver training and case-by-case action are underway.
Commuter concerns
PMPML response
Driving practices
Commuter concerns
Commuters say some bus drivers drive rashly, approach intersections at high speed, and ignore signals and pedestrian crossings.
PMPML response
PMPML says not every accident is caused by driver error and that each crash is inspected to determine its cause.
Accountability
Commuter concerns
Commuters want stricter enforcement and action against drivers who violate traffic rules.
PMPML response
PMPML says drivers may be suspended for a month or dismissed depending on the severity of an incident.
Safety measures
Commuter concerns
Commuters say existing enforcement has not prevented repeated near misses and crashes.
PMPML response
PMPML says driver training is continuing and dashcams have been proposed, although board approval is still pending.
Key facts
- Deaths since 2024
- 60 people were killed in reported PMPML bus crashes across the stated periods.
- 2024-25
- 61 accidents, 24 deaths, 21 serious injuries, and 18 minor injuries.
- 2025-26
- 43 accidents, 25 deaths, and 24 serious injuries.
- FY2026-27 through August
- 23 accidents, 11 deaths, and 10 serious injuries.
- Private operators
- They accounted for 16 accidents, nine deaths, and seven serious injuries in the current reported period.
- Fleet
- PMPML operates about 684 corporation-owned buses, while private contractors operate 1,277 buses.
- Driver training
- PMPML said 2,000 drivers had been trained through the reported program.
Quotes
Yashwant Hinge
PMPML’s Chief Transport Manager (Operations).
“We have been continuously training our drivers. The PMPML and private contractor’s drivers have already been trained at the Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR).”
indianexpress.com
“This should stop. Enforcement should be tightened, and drivers must face action; otherwise innocents will keep losing lives.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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