Maharashtra Metro secures robust last-mile connectivity deals

PUNE: The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) on Thursday said that it has shored up plans for last-mile connectivity to and from Metro stations.
MahaMetro said it plans to join hands with Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML), autorickshaw unions, cab aggregators and bus operators in this regard, and said it has signed 14 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for feeder services so far with various service providers.

MahaMetro said talks were also underway with railways, IRCTC and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) for a seamless switching experience between different transport services.
On Thursday, MahaMetro launched the station access and mobility programme (STAMP) for Pune, an initiative led by Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) and WRI India Ross Centre aimed at improving multi-modal integration of Metro rail with other modes of transportation in Indian cities. S
STAMP is based on a partnership model with the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Pune is the fifth city to become part of the initiative, MahaMetro said.
MahaMetro is developing two Metro corridors in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad — Pimpri to Swargate and Vanaz to Ramwadi. The Metro will connect with railway services at three locations — Pune station, Shivajinagar and Kasarwadi.
Atul Gadgil, director (works) at MahaMetro, said they were planning to make Metro services operational on the 5km Vanaz-Garware College section and the 7km PCMC-Dapodi priority stretches by December. “Some works are in the final stages. MahaMetro and the civic body concerned will user-friendly pedestrian and road infrastructure within 500 metres of each Metro station. Separate plans are being made to establish contact with railway services,” Gadgil said.