The Times of India                08.10.2013

PMC plans pay-n-park on 15 roads

PUNE: The civic administration on Monday proposed to reintroduce pay-and-park scheme for two-wheelers on 15 main roads of city, the reluctance of elected representatives notwithstanding.

The administration proposed Rs 3 for two-wheeler parking for the first hour and Rs 5 for every subsequent hour.

The civic administration on Monday tabled the proposal before all party leaders meeting held in the PMC headquarters in Shivajinagar. Though the party leaders refrained from taking a decision and decided to forward the proposal to the civic standing committee, the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supported it.

The civic body had earlier withdrawn the scheme in 2010 after stringent opposition from civic groups. Since then, the civic administration has repeatedly pushed for two-wheeler pay-and-park proposal, but in futile. However, the PMC has already implemented pay-and-park for four-wheelers on city roads and charges Rs 10 per hour.

In its proposal on Monday, the civic administration stated that the police department had asked either for pay-and-park on main roads or no parking zones. "Considering the security reasons cited by the police, the PMC has to take a decision," the administration has stated in its proposal.

According to the civic administration, the tendency to park vehicles on roads is on the rise in the city because of insufficient parking space. It has resulted in frequent traffic congestion, accidents and slow traffic movement. As the central areas in the city have been developed as per the earlier development control rules, the existing parking facility is falling short. To curb parking on roads and to facilitate smooth traffic flow, a pay-and-park system is a must.

Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has sought the reintroduction of the scheme. Leader of the House in the PMC and NCP corporator Subhash Jagtap speaking to reporters said, "The proposal is appropriate considering security reasons. We will take a final call in the GB meeting."

The standing committee will take a decision on the proposal and forward it to the GB for final decision after which the scheme could be implemented. 

The Indian Express               08.10.2013

Commuting by PMPML buses best option, say activists

With autorickshaw fares going up and two-wheeler rides becoming life-threatening on city roads, travelling by PMPML buses is emerging as the "best option" for commuters as it not only offers economical service, but is also convenient and safe.

Commuter organisations believe that PMPML has now got an opportunity to become popular among commuters, which will go a long way in reducing private vehicles that are choking city roads.

Commuters organisations said PMPML is the safest option, especially for those who travel by two-wheelers. Every year, as many as 240 two-wheeler riders die on city roads.

"A person might get late by 10-15 minutes if he travels by PMPML bus, but the delay is better than losing one's life by driving a two-wheeler," said activist Lahu Landge.

With the Regional Transport Authority giving a green signal to increase autorickshaw fares, a passenger will now have to shell out Rs 17 for first 1.5 km. If an individual travels by a bus for 2 km, he pays only Rs 5. Similarly, if three members of a family travel by an autorickshaw for 1.5 km, they will pay Rs 17. But if they travel by bus, they will pay Rs 15 and travel half a km more than they would by an autorickshaw.

Beyond two km and up to 10-12 km, PMPML charges only Rs 10, which is much cheaper than travelling by autorickshaw or a two-wheeler.

"The bus travel costs me Rs 20 (to and fro) every day. I only spend Rs 80 in four days by travelling in a bus, which is much cheaper than travelling by a two-wheeler. Besides, I don't have to fear for my life," said Ikhlas Sayed, a resident of Akurdi.

Harsha Shah of Railway Pravasi Group said though the local train service is cheap, the frequency is not as good as that of buses or autorickshaws. "Trains do not halt at each and every stop. Also, the train service is generally preferred by people living in the vicinity of a railway station," she said.

Jugal Rathi of PMP Pravasi Manch said PMPML has already become popular among commuters after it decided to introduce fares in the multiples of Rs 5. "Now, there is another opportunity for PMPML to attract more passengers as the autorickshaws are surely going to become unpopular with sharp fare hike. PMPML needs to increase its fleet as soon as possible," he said.

Rathi said PMPML should also increase the frequency of buses in the heart of the city where autorickshaws have been playing a major role. Though some autorickshaw owners believe the fare hike will affect their earnings, many point out that they score over PMPML as the buses cannot reach every nook and corner of the city. "We have a huge advantage over buses as they cannot ply on narrow roads or pass through gullies. Even though fares have been increased, autorickshaws will not be hit badly," he said.

PMPML spokesperson Deepak Pardeshi said, "PMPML has become a cheaper transport service with good frequency of buses. But the problem is with diesel prices which keep rising. If the prices increase again, PMPML will be hit. We are planning to convert all buses into CNG."