Daijiworld Media Network - Pune
Pune, Nov 2: The Pune State Transport (ST) department has planned to operate around 900 additional buses to manage the rush of passengers travelling to their hometowns during the Diwali holidays. So far, reservations have been completed for around 300 buses, with some services already seeing more than half their seats booked.
The highest demand has been recorded on routes connecting Pune with Marathwada, Vidarbha and Khandesh, indicating a strong preference for ST services among passengers travelling home for the festival.
Thousands of people from different parts of Maharashtra live in Pune and its surrounding areas for employment, business and education. Many of them travel to their native places during Diwali to celebrate with their families, resulting in heavy crowds at bus stations and increased demand for tickets.
To ease the rush, the department has arranged 900 additional buses along with the regular services. The extra buses will operate from major departure points, including Shivajinagar, Swargate and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Of these, 136 buses are planned from Shivajinagar, 235 from Swargate and 455 from Pimpri-Chinchwad.
The additional services are expected to help distribute passenger traffic across different bus stations and reduce pressure on regular services. The launch of the special services is also planned from the Vallabhnagar depot in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
The department has urged passengers whose travel plans are confirmed to reserve their seats in advance to avoid last-minute rush and inconvenience. Tickets will also be available closer to the travel date, subject to seat availability.
Women passengers are eligible for a 50 per cent concession on tickets, while senior citizens covered under the Amrut scheme are entitled to free travel. These concessions are also contributing to the popularity of ST services during the festive season.
The department has appealed to passengers to plan their journeys in advance and make use of the additional services.