Getting around
Transport & Metro, Apps & Digital Life. 4 min read.
01Transport & Metro
Getting around Pune
Pune Metro is now running, the biggest transport upgrade in the city's history.
The Purple Line (from PCMC, the Pimpri-Chinchwad area, to Swargate) and the Aqua Line (Vanaz-Ramwadi) are open. The PMRDA Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar line (Line 3) opens in phases from late 2026, starting with 17 of its 23 stations. Autos, Ola/Uber/Rapido cabs and PMPML buses cover the rest (app-based bike taxis are not allowed in Maharashtra for now, though Ola, Uber and Rapido cars run normally). Many premium residents employ a driver. IKAN handles all the RTO work for moving and registering your vehicle.
What it costs
RIDE
Ola/Uber KP-Hinjewadi
₹300 to 500
one way (off-peak)
METRO
Metro daily commute
₹40 to 80
round trip
Pune Metro Lines (2026)
Purple Line, PCMC to Swargate
~17 km. Elevated through Pimpri-Chinchwad with underground section through Shivajinagar and Civil Court down to Swargate. Connects the PCMC industrial belt to central Pune. Now fully operational across the full alignment.
Aqua Line, Vanaz to Ramwadi
~14 km elevated east-west line through Kothrud, Deccan, Pune Junction, Yerwada, Ramwadi. Operational. Civil Court is the interchange with the Purple Line, making most premium Pune neighbourhoods accessible by Metro for the first time in the city's history.
Line 3, Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar (PMRDA)
The most-watched addition. ~23 km PPP project (Line 3); its first stretch passed the rail safety inspection in July 2026 and the first 17 of its 23 stations were due to open from late September 2026, the rest later; Civil Court is its interchange with the Purple and Aqua lines. When complete, this will be the single biggest transport upgrade Pune has ever had, a sub-30-minute Metro ride to central Pune that currently takes 60 to 90 minutes by road during peak.60 to 90 minutes
PMPML Bus / BRTS
Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal runs the city bus network including BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit) corridor lanes on key arterials. The Chalo app provides live tracking. Useful for short hops; not yet at the convenience level of the Metro.
Day-to-Day Transport
Ola / Uber / Rapido
Cab coverage is full, keep all three apps installed; surge during peak hours and rain. App-based bike taxis are not permitted in Maharashtra, but Rapido cars run. Ola Corporate accounts via employer travel desk for Hinjewadi/Magarpatta commutes.
Auto-Rickshaw
Metered, generally honest in Pune. ₹25 first 1.5km then ~₹17/km. 25% night surcharge. "Bhau, meter laao" is the universal request, Marathi attempts always help.
Pune Metro
Purple & Aqua lines now running, Civil Court interchange. Smart-card / QR ticketing via the Maha Metro app. Fares ₹15 to 40, the fastest way across the central corridors.
Personal Driver
Many premium residents employ a full-time driver, typically ₹15,000 to 25,000/month including maintenance. Useful for Hinjewadi corridor and frequent Mumbai trips.
Hinjewadi traffic is Pune's biggest pain point. The Mumbai Highway / Wakad junction at peak hours (8-10am inbound, 6-9pm outbound) can add 60 minutes to any journey. Many IT employers run company shuttles from premium pockets to mitigate. The PMRDA Hinjewadi Metro line, when complete, will solve it.
02Apps & Digital Life
Apps to install
Pune's digital services are excellent, and most apps cover the whole city. Everyone takes UPI payments, even the Bedekar Misal counter, which accepts QR codes. Download these before you arrive and your first week will be much easier.
Transport
Ola / Uber / RapidoAll three cabs cover Pune comprehensively (bike taxis not permitted in Maharashtra; Rapido cars run). Ola Corporate accounts via employer travel desk for Hinjewadi / Magarpatta corridor commutes. Surge during peak hours and rain, keep them installed.
Maha Metro (Pune Metro)Tickets, route planning, smart-card top-up for the Purple and Aqua lines. Civil Court is the interchange. Fares ₹15 to 40 typical across the network.
Chalo (PMPML Buses)Live PMPML bus tracking, BRTS corridor routes, arrival times and mobile-ticket / pass top-up across the city bus network. The most reliable way to plan a short bus hop in Pune. (App-based bike taxis are currently not permitted in Maharashtra.)
Food, Grocery & Delivery
Zomato / SwiggyBoth cover Pune comprehensively. Delivery times 25 to 40 minutes; many outlets run to midnight or 1-2 AM, and some are 24×7 depending on location and platform. Zomato Gold worth it for regular restaurant orders in KP and Kalyani Nagar.
BigBasket / Blinkit / ZeptoBigBasket for scheduled weekly groceries. Blinkit and Zepto for 10-minute instant delivery, both excellent in KP, Kalyani Nagar, Aundh, Baner.
Utilities & Services
MSEDCLMaharashtra State Electricity Distribution, Pune's electricity provider. Register on arrival for online bill payment and auto-pay. Web portal is more reliable than the app.
Jio / Airtel / ACT FibernetJio and Airtel both excellent in Pune, port your number on arrival. ACT Fibernet has strong coverage in KP, Kalyani Nagar, Aundh, Baner, Hinjewadi townships. 100-300 Mbps standard.
Practo / 1mg / Urban CompanyPracto for GP appointments at Ruby Hall, Jehangir, Sahyadri, Manipal Pune. 1mg / Tata 1mg for online pharmacy and home sample collection. Urban Company for at-home services.
Already moving with IKAN?
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