Indian Express 22.11.2010
Cashless travel project not before Dec
Express News Service Tags : Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd, PMPML, Unit Trust of India Posted: Mon Nov 22 2010, 04:34 hrs
The PMPML will work with the Unit Trust of India (UTI) Bank for the project. The UTI team from Delhi had recently visited Pune for the project. “Since it would be wrong to withdraw the project once it is launched, we are still checking how the card readers, to be fitted on the buses, will work,” Band said. UTI will get a two per cent commission on every ticket, he added.
The concept of a single ticket for different modes of public transport was envisaged in the National Urban Transport Policy. The funds will be shared by the Centre under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. Each card will cost Rs 40 and sold at authorised outlets. Card readers installed in buses will calculate the fare.
“I do not understand PMPML’s urge to go for such fancy projects, especially when the PMPML has failed to print time tables and put up route placards in the city. The PMPML is going for needless things. Most of the people travelling in buses belong to the middle class or lower section of society and they may not be comfortable with the card,” Vivek Velankar, a civic activist said.
