PMC Approves ₹23.11 Crore for PMPML Free and Concessional Bus Passes, Less Than the ₹36.18 Crore Sought

Pune, 6th November 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved ₹23.11 crore for Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) as reimbursement for free and concessional bus passes issued in 2025-26. That is well short of the ₹36.18 crore the transport body had asked for.

The amount was capped because of insufficient budget provision. PMC departments had recommended ₹34.87 crore, but the 2026-27 budget only set aside ₹23.11 crore for these concessions. Paying the full recommended amount would need another ₹11.77 crore, as reported by Punekar News.

Who uses these passes

The reimbursement covers passes given to:

• Students on annual, half-yearly and quarterly passes
• Passengers on 50% concession passes
• Senior citizens, freedom fighters and meritorious individuals on free passes
• PMC employees and newspaper reporters with free passes

The Information and Public Relations Department recommended ₹71,300 for passes issued to reporters of daily and weekly newspapers.

What was not approved

PMPML’s ₹1.27 crore claim for 22-day passenger punching passes was not recommended by the departments, which explains part of the gap between the claim and the recommendation.

Why it matters for daily commuters

PMPML runs on fares plus support from the PMC and PCMC. Before Diwali it had sought a ₹33 crore advance to pay employee ex-gratia and bonuses. Delays in reimbursement squeeze the money available for bus maintenance and new routes, which commuters feel as longer waits at the stop.

The payment will be released from the available budget after General Body approval. To check what you pay, see our guide to PMPML pass prices, and compare costs with our auto fare chart.

Frequently asked questions