India, May 26 -- Amid rising fuel costs impacting public transport systems across the country, the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has decided against increasing bus fares for now and instead initiated large-scale route optimisation and schedule rationalisation to improve operational efficiency and reduce losses.

As part of the exercise, PMPML has undertaken a detailed review of all its bus routes and schedules across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Routes with low ridership and poor load factors are experiencing reduced bus frequency, while buses are being diverted to overcrowded, high-demand routes to improve commuter convenience. More than 20 routes have already been modified, and the exercise is expected to continue in...