Civic activists question rationale behind PMPML fare hike

Activist Vivek Velankar and Jugal Rathi pointed out that by raising autorickshaw charges, inaddition to the existing bus fleet and better management of bus routes, the PMPML administration has registered about 20 per cent profit in the last few months. 8220;This proves that despite any fare hike, it was able to garner some profit. Hence there was hardly any need to further increase the fare charges, 8220; Velankar said.

8220;We have sought to know the rationale behind this fare-hike. We have demanded this from Dr Nitin Kareer, the chairman of the Regional Transport Authority RTA. However, the RTA is evading divulging any information regarding this. Therefore we approached the information commissioner and filed a complaint in this regard,8221; Rathi said.

Meanwhile, Pune Bus Pravasi Sangh,Janwani, Parisar, Pune Zilla Molkarin Sanghatana, Sarthi, Sajag Nagrik Manch, Surajya Sangharsha Samiti, have threatened to carry out a protest rally against the fare hike on Saturday at 3 pm at the Deccan Gymkhana Bus Stop.