May 3, 2009 11:14:16 pm
The autorickshaw strike left commuters fuming in the sweltering heat on Saturday. Neena Aina who had to rush to Mumbai from Aundh had to depend on her friend to drop her. The buses are not frequent and I had to catch the train on time. The strikes are harrowing, she said.
Sudhir K,who was using rickshaw to office due to his ill health,said he will have to look for alternatives now. I dont think I can depend on public transport. I will prefer car pooling, he said.
The two days of the strike also saw a spurt in people availing of the radio cab services. We have been receiving calls from all parts of the city, said a member of the service which is on for 24 hours
Hundred buses were pressed into service on Saturday. There will be more trips and flying squads to check the situation at bus-stands as well night services to ensure the last commuter is attended to,said P A Pardeshi from the PMPML.
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CEO Dharudkar and traffic manager Sunil Gawli will manage the operations,he said. More buses will ply on Swargate-Hadapsar,Katraj-Shivajinagar,Swargate-Pune station,Swargate-Kothrud Depot,Swargate-Warje and Katraj-Pune station routes.
TACKLING STRIKE
* 100 buses pressed into service
* More trips from every bus station
* No tea breaks till crowd is addressed
* Flying squads in jeeps to report situation at bus-stands
* Buses to have closer pick-up and drop points
* Night services from main stands
* Commuters can complain at 24440417 (ext 211)
* Radio cab services are provided on 40100100
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