The Times of India            11.12.2013

PMPML to get 660 buses by January

PUNE: Daily commuters can expect some improvement in city's public transport system as 660 buses, hired by PMPML, would start plying on the road by the end of January next year.

About 330 of these buses were to be launched last Saturday at a formal programme by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. However, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) postponed the programme following the five-day national mourning after Nelson Mandela's death. The buses will be launched on a new date, PMPML officials said on Tuesday.

The city transport company has asked five contractors to supply the buses, wherein PMPML will pay the contractors on the basis of kilometer distance covered by these buses. Already, 350 buses, which were hired by the PMPML three to five years back, are plying on the roads. The contractor provides the drivers, while the fare collection is done by conductors appointed by PMPML.

The transport company officials said the process for taking the buses on hire was initiated last year. Most of the buses will be required for the four Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes which are to be made operational in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad by April next year. While the Pune Municipal Corporation is planning to start BRT on Vishrantwadi and Nagar Road, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation will start BRT on the Sangvi-Kiwale route, and along the highway stretch between Nigdi and Dapodi. All the buses, which are to be hired, have doors on the left and right sides. Bus stations on all the BRT routes are on the right side.

PMPML is also planning to get 500 buses on deferred payment basis. Officials said the company has already invited bids from private contractors and agencies who would supply these buses.

Meanwhile, bus commuter groups and the employees' unions pointed out that in addition to increasing the bus fleet, PMPML also needs to construct new depots, as well as improve infrastructure and provide adequate maintenance and repair facilities at the existing ten depots. The PMT Kamgar Sangh, in a statement, has said not a single bus depot has been created in the last seven years since PMPML was formed. Buses have to be parked on roads because the number of depots are inadequate which even leads to stealing of spare parts and other items.