Speaking to TOI, managing director of PMPML Subrao Patil said the transport body has started getting new buses from private contractors. Of the total 250 buses to be procured, the first 50 buses will be run as women special buses on all important routes.

Five buses each will be run on routes from Kothrud, Swargate, Hadapsar, Pune-Ahmednagar road, Bhosari and Nigdi. These buses will ply during peak hours -- in the morning and evening, and will not only benefit women commuters, but also reduce the rush in other buses. The inaugural bus will be started from Hadapsar and will be flagged off by mayor Bhosale.

While the buses from private contractors were expected to arrive in the first week of March, there was a delay due to certain difficulties about body building of buses. There was also a debate as to whether the buses should have a single wind shield in the front.

Meanwhile, the PMPML is also planning to purchase nearly 125 buses on its own. Patil said the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporations have already made a provision of Rs 25 crore and Rs 10 crore respectively for providing financial assistance for the same.

`Most buses now have safety measures in place'