Pune: Maha Metro and PMPML have rolled out feeder bus service from the PCMC Metro station on multiple routes to improve last-mile connectivity, extending the service to 11 stations across 23 routes so far. Regular commuters, however, raised concerns over irregular operations and demanded greater consistency and higher frequency of buses.Maha Metro officials said surveys were under way at more stations to identify new feeder routes. “We can expect improvements in feeder services over the next few months. At some stations, there is limited space to park or halt buses. At such locations, we are planning to introduce dedicated autorickshaw services. Our goal is to ensure that at least one feeder option is available at every Metro station for commuting to nearby areas and back,” a Maha Metro official said.The feeder buses are currently operational from major stations including PCMC, SNDT, Swargate, Shivajinagar, Ramwadi, Yerawada and Kalyaninagar. Maha Metro has also partnered with private firms to strengthen the feeder network. In the IT park belt along Nagar Road, private firms have introduced feeder buses, and a similar initiative has been launched at SNDT Metro station too.Commuters have, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the PMPML airport feeder service from Yerawada Metro station, citing poor frequency and irregular timings. Frequent flyer Vikas Wadke said the buses often did not run on schedule. “A commuter cannot be expected to wait 30 to 40 minutes at the Yerawada station just to reach the airport. The frequency should be increased to at least once every 10 minutes,” he said.Meanwhile, the Metro administration clarified that the newly introduced feeder buses from PCMC Metro station would cater to areas up to Kalewadi Phata.
