The Pune Metro is set to increase the frequency of train services on the Aqua and Purple lines to a 6-minute headway during peak hours, down from the current 7 minutes. This change is expected to be implemented within the next two months. Additionally, the frequency during non-peak hours may be adjusted to 8 minutes from the current 10-15 minutes, depending on a thorough analysis of traffic demand during those times.
Hemant Sonawane, Executive Director (Administration & Public Relations) at Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation, shared with The Indian Express on Tuesday, “We are planning to increase the frequency of trains on the Metro lines. During peak hours, we will reduce the frequency from 7 minutes to 6 minutes. Our ultimate goal is to achieve a 5-minute headway, but our first step is to lower it to 6 minutes.”
Regarding non-peak hours, Sonawane added, “This will depend on an analysis of traffic during those times. By increasing the frequency, we hope to encourage individuals who might avoid the Metro due to longer waiting times to consider it for their travel needs. This could potentially boost our ridership.”
Currently, the Pune Metro operates with a 7-minute frequency during peak hours, which are from 8 AM to 11 AM. Non-peak hours are divided into two sections: a 10-minute frequency from 6 AM to 8 AM, 11 AM to 4 PM, and 8 PM to 10 PM, and a 15-minute interval from 10 PM to 11 PM.
Parshuram Fawaday, a regular Metro commuter and food joint owner, expressed his support while waiting at the District Court station, stating, “This is a good move and the authorities should implement it. I arrived just in time but missed a train by 30 seconds and now have to wait another 10 minutes for the next one. Increasing the frequency will save time.”
Another commuter, M Chandra Agashe, remarked, “While increasing frequency during peak hours is a great idea due to crowded trains, I don’t see the need for more trains during non-peak hours when there isn’t much crowd. They can reassess the situation based on demand.”
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