Pune: Almost a week after launching two electric buses between Swargate and Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), the Pune division of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is struggling to attract passengers, with the service averaging just four to five commuters a day.The transport body is exploring ways to promote the service, including social media campaigns, as officials try to understand the reasons for the poor response.“We really don’t know why people are not using the service. The buses stop at several locations along the route, allowing even those not travelling to NMIA to use them. It could be that not many people know about the service yet. The buses are operational, and we expect the response to improve in the coming days,” divisional controller Arun Siya said.The two E-Shivai buses began operating last Wednesday, offering Pune residents a direct public transport option to NMIA. The morning bus departs from Swargate at 6.15am and reaches the airport around 9.30am, while the afternoon service leaves at 2.25pm and arrives around 6pm. Each E-Shivai bus has 42 seats.Passengers, however, cited limited flight options, inconvenient timings, inadequate publicity and concerns about reliability as reasons for not opting for the service.Pallav Kumar Jain, a businessman based in Shivajinagar and a regular flyer, said Pune airport already offered connectivity to most major destinations, making a journey to NMIA unnecessary for many travellers.“I stay in Shivajinagar, so Pune airport is closer. Why would I travel all the way to NMIA when I can catch a flight from Pune? NMIA currently has only one international flight to Abu Dhabi, and Pune also has a service to that destination. Travelling to NMIA will make sense when it offers more flights, including to new international destinations,” he said.Hinjewadi-based IT professional Sushil Parashar said he was unaware of the bus service and stressed the need for better publicity, including information about stops along the route.“MSRTC needs to inform people properly. It cannot expect passengers to travel all the way to Swargate to board the bus. The departure timings are also inconvenient for those with late-night or early-morning flights. The frequency needs to be increased from the beginning,” he said.Parashar also questioned whether the buses could accommodate the luggage of passengers travelling to the airport. MSRTC officials, however, maintained that adequate luggage space was available.Reliability remains another concern. Baner resident and IT professional Animesh Datani said frequent breakdowns of MSRTC buses could deter passengers who need to reach the airport on time.“What happens if a bus breaks down or gets stuck in heavy traffic on the expressway? While similar problems can affect private vehicles, passengers may have alternatives. Frequent breakdowns of MSRTC buses are a major concern,” he said.
