Pune Metro will allow passengers to carry bicycles on line 3, according to Hindustan Times. The decision follows criticism from cyclists and residents after the operator first announced that bicycles would not be permitted on trains.
What changed
According to Hindustan Times, the operator removed its earlier social media announcement after the backlash and reviewed the policy. Cyclists will now be able to combine bicycle travel with metro journeys on the line.
The Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar corridor
Line 3 connects the Hinjewadi information technology hub with central Pune. Hindustan Times reports that cycling could help commuters cover the distance between metro stations and their workplaces or homes, which is why the change matters for last-mile travel.
On its first day of operations, 4 November, the line recorded nearly 50,000 passenger journeys, according to the report. The District Court station was the busiest on the corridor, with nearly 25,000 journeys. It provides connections to Pune railway station and serves as an interchange point for commuters.
Service plans
Anil Kumar Saini, chief executive officer of Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited, said the first-day response was encouraging, with passengers appreciating the connectivity and faster travel. The operator also indicated that trains will run every five minutes during peak hours and every eight minutes during non-peak hours as passenger numbers grow after the Diwali holidays.
Open questions
The report notes that the administration has not yet clarified detailed operating guidelines for bicycle carriage, including any restrictions. Passengers planning to travel with a bicycle should check for official updates before doing so.