#aapli_bus

NMC’s Rs12cr Dues Trigger Aapli Bus Strike Nagpur: A financial crisis within the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) transport department plunged the city’s public transport system into chaos on Wednesday as approximately 1,800 conductors affiliated with the Aapli Bus service launched a sudden strike over delayed salaries. The protest, which occurred during peak morning hours, left thousands of commuters stranded and exposed the deepening financial strain on the city’s public transport network. Officials acknowledged that NMC had not released nearly Rs12 crore owed to Chalo Mobility Private Limited (CMPL), the Integrated Bus Transport Management (IBTM) operator responsible for managing conductors. The delayed payment led to salary arrears, sparking the unrest. Of the 690 buses scheduled to operate, only 75 from the Koradi depot were initially withdrawn. While drivers and conductors reported for duty, the conductors refused to board buses after learning their salaries had not been credited. Typically, salaries are disbursed by the 7th of every month. After being informed of the situation, CMPL alerted NMC and used its own funds to pay all conductors by around 9:30 am, allowing services to gradually resume. However, the protest resurfaced later as conductors and drivers pressed for unresolved demands, including House Rent Allowance (HRA), a 26-day duty roster, payment of pending privilege leave encashment, and the deployment of additional conductors to ease workloads. The disruption was further exacerbated by the official Aapli Bus mobile application, which continued to display buses as operating normally and showed live arrival times despite widespread cancellations. Hundreds of commuters waited at bus stops unaware of the service disruptions.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #nmc #aapli_bus #chalo_mobility_private_limited #integrated_bus_transport_management

Chalo Mobility Payment Hike Under Scrutiny as Nagpur Municipal Corporation Launches Probe Nagpur: Following allegations of increased payments to Chalo Mobility Pvt Ltd under the Aapli Bus contract, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s transport committee chairperson, Mangala Khekre, announced on Tuesday that an investigation into the matter would be initiated. Khekre cited the expansion of the Aapli Bus fleet and the rise in the number of conductors as reasons for the payment hike, though she did not confirm whether the transport department had secured approval from the competent authority before exceeding the original contract terms. The NMC issued a work order to Chalo Mobility on March 11, 2024, and finalized a five-year contract worth Rs216.30 crore on July 11, 2024. Initially, the company was required to deploy approximately 1,000 conductors at a rate of Rs479 per conductor. However, with the fleet expanding from around 500 buses to nearly 725, the number of conductors increased to about 1,800, and the per-conductor rate rose to Rs509. This led to a monthly payment increase from Rs1.88 crore to Rs2.79 crore, or Rs3.26 crore including GST. Khekre stated she would seek clarification from the department on whether the necessary approvals were obtained, while asserting that there was no breach of the contractual agreement. A special audit, proposed by the transport department, will examine whether the enhanced payments had the required approvals and adhered to the terms of the contract. The audit aims to determine if the adjustments were justified and whether they complied with the original agreement’s stipulations. The probe comes amid growing scrutiny over the financial terms of the Aapli Bus project, which has been a subject of public debate.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #nmc #mangala_khekre #aapli_bus #chalo_mobility_pvt_ltd

NMC Transport Department Faces Scrutiny Over Enhanced Chalo Payments, Audit Proposed The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) Transport Department has come under scrutiny for allegedly increasing payments to Chalo Mobility Private Limited (CMPL) under its five-year Aapli Bus contract without obtaining mandatory approval from the competent authority. Official documents reveal that NMC issued a work order to the Mumbai-based company on March 11, 2024, and finalized the agreement on July 11, 2024, appointing it as the Integrated Bus Transport Management (IBTM) operator. The 60-month contract, valued at Rs216.30 crore, includes Rs113.40 crore for service charges related to conductors and Rs102.90 crore for consultancy. Sources allege that the Transport Department revised the service charges without administrative sanction, raising the monthly payout from approximately Rs1.88 crore to nearly Rs3.26 crore. The consultancy component is structured as 60% fixed charges and 40% performance-linked payments, with the variable portion contingent on evaluating three metrics: Earnings Per Kilometre (EPKM) (15%), passenger count (15%), and digital ridership (10%). However, officials claim the higher expenditure was necessitated by operational demands. Since the agreement took effect, the Aapli Bus fleet expanded from around 500 buses to nearly 730, significantly increasing the number of conductors deployed. A revision in conductor wages also contributed to the rise in service costs. While the civic administration asserts that operational changes may justify adjustments to the project cost, it emphasizes that any increase in the approved contract value requires prior approval from the competent authority.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #municipal_commissioner_vipin_itankar #nmc_transport_department #aapli_bus #chalo_mobility_private_limited

Aapli Bus Hits Record Daily Ridership of 1.97L Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) Aapli Bus service achieved a milestone on July 6, recording its highest-ever single-day ridership of 1,97,096 passengers. The day also saw a record 35,547 UPI-based ticket transactions, reflecting the growing adoption of digital payment methods. Officials credited the surge in ridership to enhanced services, fleet expansion, and the integration of digital ticketing. The Aapli Bus network operates a fleet of 730 buses from nine depots, providing daily connectivity across Nagpur. To improve efficiency, NMC introduced Super-Fast Express bus services on five high-demand routes. These routes include Aapli Bus Terminal-Takalghat (208E), Sitabuldi-Parshivani Fata (26E), Aapli Bus Terminal-Tekadi Bus Stop (38E), Sitabuldi-Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Square (40E), and Aapli Bus Terminal-Brahmani Fata Terminal (54E). Services run daily from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm, with departures approximately every 30 minutes. Passengers can access real-time updates and journey planning through the Chalo mobile app, which also enables live bus tracking and digital ticketing. NMC officials highlighted the achievement under the guidance of Aapli Bus Transport Committee chairperson Mangala Khekare, emphasizing the civic body’s commitment to enhancing public transport through improved connectivity, faster travel, and passenger-friendly initiatives. The record ridership underscores the effectiveness of NMC’s efforts to modernize the bus system. The expansion of the fleet and the introduction of express services have addressed long-standing issues of overcrowding and delays.#nagpur #nagpur_municipal_corporation #aapli_bus #mangala_khekare #chalo_app

Aapli Bus Collision Leaves Four Coaching Students Injured in Nagpur A city transport bus collided with a school minibus carrying students in Nagpur on Friday morning, resulting in minor injuries to four coaching class students. The incident occurred at Panchsheel Chowk, where the NMC’s Aapli Bus struck the minibus side-on, causing the vehicle to veer and leading to glass shards breaking inside. The injured students were treated at a nearby private hospital and discharged within an hour. The minibus, ferrying students from a well-known coaching institute, was en route from Yeshwant Stadium to Canal Road via Panchsheel Chowk. The bus owner, Shekhar S, stated that the accident happened around 7 a.m., when traffic lights were not operational due to the early hour. He emphasized that the Aapli Bus’s front glass shattered, indicating the civic bus was at fault. “If it had been our fault, the damage would have been from the front, but the glass on the NMC bus is broken, proving it was their vehicle that caused the collision,” Shekhar added. Police Inspector Suhas Raut of the Sitabuldi station confirmed the accident was minor and noted that no serious injuries were reported. Raut mentioned that while neither the parents nor the bus driver intended to file a complaint, the police initiated an investigation independently. The students, all in Classes 11 and 12, were safe after receiving initial treatment and returned home. The minibus, which had the name “St Ursula Girls High School” painted on its side, sparked confusion about the presence of female students. However, school principal Sheetal Peter clarified that the vehicle had no connection to the school and none of its students were on board.#aapli_bus #shekhar_s #panchsheel_chowk #st_ursula_girls_high_school #sitabuldi_station

Aapli Bus Driver Terminated for Negligent Driving The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s transport department has dismissed Sagar Wasnik, a driver for Aapli Bus, following allegations of negligent driving that resulted in a collision on Saturday evening. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. near the Balbharati office on Maharajbag Road, where Wasnik, operating a PM e-bus, allegedly struck a car. The collision caused substantial damage to the front parts of both vehicles, though no injuries were reported. According to officials, preliminary reports indicated the bus was traveling at a high speed and that the driver fled the scene after the accident. The transport department investigated the incident using CCTV footage from the location, which confirmed the driver’s fault. Based on this evidence, disciplinary measures were initiated, leading to the termination of Wasnik’s employment. The accident has raised concerns about road safety and the accountability of public transport operators. While the exact circumstances of the collision remain under review, the incident underscores the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations. Authorities have emphasized that the driver’s actions violated safety protocols, and the decision to terminate his services reflects the department’s commitment to maintaining standards in public transportation. The case has also sparked discussions about the role of technology, such as CCTV surveillance, in addressing traffic violations. Officials noted that the footage played a critical role in determining liability, highlighting the importance of such systems in ensuring transparency and fairness in accident investigations. No further details about the driver’s legal status or potential charges have been disclosed.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #aapli_bus #sagar_wasnik #pm_e_bus #maharajbag_road

Heatwave Pushes Aapli Bus Ridership Past 1 Lakh Nagpur: The intense heatwave gripping the city has led to a significant surge in ridership for the NMC's Aapli Bus service, with daily cash ticket sales surpassing 1 lakh in April. This figure excludes students and pass holders, suggesting the actual daily footfall is substantially higher. As of April 26, the average daily cash ticket sales reached 1,01,768, marking a sharp increase from 93,649 in March, 95,914 in February, and 95,417 in January. This represents a notable jump from the 85,453 average daily cash passengers recorded in April 2025, highlighting the heatwave-driven spike in demand. The rise in ridership underscores a clear shift in commuter behavior, with public transport—particularly air-conditioned buses—emerging as a practical alternative to private vehicles. A key factor driving this trend is the near-similar fare structure between AC and non-AC buses, making climate-controlled travel both accessible and economical. For commuters, Aapli buses now offer a dual advantage: affordability and relief from extreme heat. Many passengers have reported that AC buses have become the cheapest escape from the heatwave, especially when compared to rising fuel costs and the physical toll of two-wheeler travel under harsh sun. Rahul Sharma, an IT professional who recently switched to public transport, noted, "I used to ride my two-wheeler daily, but the heat has become unbearable. Now I prefer AC buses—the fare is almost the same, and I reach office without exhaustion." Pooja Deshmukh, a private firm employee, echoed similar sentiments, stating, "Driving in this heat was draining and expensive with fuel costs. AC buses are not only comfortable but also lighter on the pocket. I've completely shifted from my car this month." The operational scale-up reflects this growing demand.#nagpur #nmc #aapli_bus #rahul_sharma #pooja_deshmukh

Fuel crisis drives over 3 lakh to use Metro, Aapli Bus in a day Nagpur: The ongoing fuel crisis triggered a massive shift towards public transport on Wednesday, with over three lakh commuters opting for Metro and Aapli Bus services in a single day, marking one of the highest combined ridership figures recorded in recent weeks. With petrol and diesel supplies remaining uncertain at several fuel stations, thousands of private vehicle users switched to buses and the Metro, leading to an unprecedented surge in passenger numbers. Metro recorded a significant rise in ridership, with 1,17,798 passengers traveling until 10.30pm on Wednesday, compared to 1,11,413 commuters on March 19 — a jump of over 6,385 passengers within just two weeks. Officials noted the spike reflected growing dependence of daily commuters on public transport as the fuel shortage continued. Aapli Bus service also registered its highest-ever ridership, with around 1.85 lakh passengers commuting on Wednesday. Even on March 24, the fleet carried 1.78 lakh commuters — nearly 10,000 more than ridership recorded on the same day last week. Last Wednesday (March 19), the ridership stood at 1,74,317, while on March 25 it surged to an all-time high of 1,86,148, showing a steady rise as the fuel crisis deepened. The surge in ridership also improved the financial performance of the bus service. Earning per km (EPKM) rose from Rs27.20 on March 11 to Rs30.81 on Wednesday, while earning per bus increased from Rs6,077 to around Rs6,555. Officials stated the higher passenger turnout despite the ongoing fuel crisis significantly boosted daily revenue. Interestingly, the record ridership was achieved despite the civic body operating fewer buses.#nagpur #aapli_bus #metro #kalmeshwar_route #sitabuldi_hingna_route

Amid fuel crisis, Aapli Bus ridership jumps to 1.78 lakh Nagpur: The ongoing fuel crisis has led to long queues at petrol pumps across the city, yet the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s Aapli Bus service has seen a significant rise in daily ridership, surpassing 1.78 lakh passengers. Civic officials reported that the surge continued on Tuesday and remained high on Wednesday, with commuters increasingly opting for public transport due to difficulties in securing fuel. Tuesday’s ridership reached 1.78 lakh, up from 1.69 lakh recorded on the same day last week, highlighting a notable increase in usage within a week. The rise is attributed to private vehicle users switching to public transport after facing challenges in obtaining petrol and diesel amid panic buying and fuel station shortages. The civic body managed to operate nearly the entire diesel bus fleet, with three Red Bus operators supplying the required diesel to run 183 out of 195 diesel-run buses, including 45 mini and 150 midi buses. Officials emphasized that this ensured uninterrupted services despite continued pressure on fuel supplies. Transport committee chairperson Mangala Khekre stated that the diesel fleet is functioning smoothly and the situation remains under control. She noted that Thursday, a public holiday for Ram Navami, would further ease pressure, with fewer buses needed. In case of fuel shortages, priority would be given to electric buses. The increased ridership has also improved the overall performance of the bus service. Officials reported that earnings per kilometre rose from approximately Rs26.88 to nearly Rs29, while average earnings per bus increased from about Rs5,900 to nearly Rs6,100, indicating higher passenger loads on each trip.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #mangala_khekre #aapli_bus #sitabuldi #hingna_road