India, Sept. 1 -- Pune has kept fares the same for air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses, a model aimed at making public transport more accessible.

PMPML currently operates about 620 electric buses, nearly 40% of its fleet.

Daily ridership has remained above 11 lakh even after the Metro was introduced, officials said.

Pune plans to expand its bus fleet further by the end of 2027, though land and charging infrastructure remain key challenges.

Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) in Maharashtra has adopted the same fares for air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses, a model officials say has helped it retain ridership despite the introduction of the Metro.

Unlike cities such as Delhi, where commuters pay differe...