Pune: Masks on & new rules in place, PMPML services start after 5 months today

In the standard operating procedure (SOP) declared for restarting the bus service, which has been halted for five months, Managing Director Rajendra Jagtap said each PMPML bus will ply with half its passenger capacity -- 20 passengers, 17 sitting and three standing -- at a time.

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A PMPML bus heading towards Wagholi in Pune-Ahmednagar Road caught fire after a two-wheeler rammed into it around 10.30 am on Monday.(Representational Image)

Gearing up to resume the bus service in the city, the PMPML has put the onus on conductors to ensure that no suspected Covid-19 patient is allowed to board the bus and no passenger is allowed entry without a mask.

In the standard operating procedure (SOP) declared for restarting the bus service, which has been halted for five months, Managing Director Rajendra Jagtap said each PMPML bus will ply with half its passenger capacity — 20 passengers, 17 sitting and three standing — at a time.

The passengers will sit in a zig-zag manner on alternate seats, he said. “If a suspected patient tried to board the bus, then a request should be made to that person not to get on the bus, and if need be, contact the emergency numbers of PMPML, PMC, PCMC and the district collectorate for further action.”

The bus conductor should also ensure that no person below the age of 10 years or above 65 years boards the bus, and entry should not be given to any passenger who is not wearing a mask. Temperature guns have to be used to check the temperature of every passenger boarding the bus.

Both conductor and bus driver have to wear a face shield, masks and gloves while on the bus, Jagtap said, adding that the driver’s cabin will have a plastic partition, and the driver will be responsible for getting the bus disinfected.

Every bus will ply on the streets only after getting completely disinfected, he said. “Managers of all the 13 bus depots have to ensure that the staff, including bus driver and conductor, are not allowed to report to duty without a temperature check at the depot gate or without a mask.”

The PMPML plan is to ply 421 buses on 190 routes in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and suburbs. Additional 120 buses wil ply on the streets as shuttle service during peak hours. A total of 756 drivers and 819 conductors will be on duty.

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The PMPML is the only public transport bus service in the city that covers Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and adjoining rural area of Pune district. The service was halted during the lockdown, leading to huge losses for the company. The income of the company had dropped from Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 3 lakh daily. As per government directions, the losses have to be incurred jointly by PMC and PCMC, as they are the stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the PMPML had provided 1,487 buses to PMC and 335 buses to PCMC for Covid-19 related services, to ply patients to and from Covid Care Centres, civic hospitals and for other emergencies. Also, 4,085 PMPML staff were put on Covid-19-related duties in both civic bodies.

The PMPML has urged both PMC and PCMC to compensate it for the losses it incurred during the lockdown.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune, a role that reflects his seniority and editorial Authority. He is a highly specialized journalist whose work demonstrates significant Expertise in the critical areas of urban development, governance, and sustainability, often linking policy to its on-the-ground impact across Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Ajay Jadhav contributes to the editorial direction and maintains high standards of Trustworthiness and quality in his reporting. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on the intersection of infrastructure, politics, and social development, with expertise in: Infrastructure and Civic Issues: Provides in-depth coverage of crucial development and urban governance topics. His work includes reporting on the glaring contrast between planned infrastructure projects (like private helipads) and the lack of basic facilities (schools and hospitals) in politically significant areas, highlighting accountability gaps. Politics and Governance: Consistently reports on political developments, scrutinizing decision-making that affects public life and development initiatives in Maharashtra. Sustainable Development & Environment: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible development by reporting on initiatives that successfully protect the environment while ensuring essential infrastructure development. Investigative and Policy Impact: National Impact: Ajay has written notable research articles on Conservancy staff which achieved a nationwide impact by directly contributing to the framing of policies aimed at improving the working conditions of waste-handling laborers. This demonstrates his capacity for impactful, evidence-based journalism. Additional Interests Personal Engagement: His background as a trekker and sports enthusiast suggests a keen personal interest in the environment and outdoor spaces, which likely informs his detailed and passionate reporting on sustainable development and civic issues. Ajay Jadhav's sustained focus on governance, his track record of high-impact policy-shaping research, and his critical eye for infrastructure gaps establish him as a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis in Pune and Maharashtra. ... Read More

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