With the phase-out of 266 older CNG buses, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) plans to introduce 500 new CNG buses by June this year. The transport body aims to phase out a total of 593 buses, including both CNG and diesel ones, over the next two to three years, said the CMD, PMPML. Following the meeting on January 18, it was decided that out of the new 500 buses, 400 will be contract-based, and 100 will be owned by PMPML, as informed by the official. With the inclusion of these new vehicles, the total number of buses will increase to 1,498 contractor-owned buses and 1,081 self-owned buses. PMPML spokesperson Satish Gate said alongside the introduction of new buses, a decision to retire nearly 266 CNG buses has been made. Consequently, a total of 1,232 buses will be under the supervision of seven contractors. However, commuters have expressed their concerns and said the arrival of new buses may increase the transport body's reliance on private contractors. In response, Sanjay Kolte, Chief Managing Director (CMD) of PMPML, stated that the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model is often practiced among transport undertakings, effectively reducing the capital cost for the transport body. “The Gross Cost Contract Model minimises our capital investment, while we retain control over the running costs," he said. Commuters have argued that the decision is advantageous only for the operators. Jugal Rathi, president of PMP Pravasi Manch said it is a financially viable decision but at the cost of providing sub-par services to the commuters. “Since 2008, the buses have been on the PPP model. Why then haven't we seen improved services? The primary purpose should be independent bus operation, not transferring the burden,” he said. He pointed out that a commuter identifies as a PMPML commuter, not simply a public or private bus commuter. "They are deflecting responsibility for their mismanagement and inefficiency onto contractors," Rathi added.
