Few new buses, many old problems for civic utility

Many plans, some carried out, most stuck. This sums up 2008 for the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited.

Many plans, some carried out, most stuck. This sums up 2008 for the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited PMPML.

Only 200 new buses were added to the 1,000-strong fleet, taking the total to 1,200, including 300 operated by contractors. The idea to scrap half of the 1,000 old buses has not worked out.

The biggest achievement was perhaps introduction of six CNG buses in October, in keeping with the green theme of the Commonwealth Youth Games CYG. But even that was touch and go, because of objections from the defence department to the gas pipeline through Dehu Road.

The CNG fleet is now 41. With PMPML8217;s recent policy decision that all new buses will be CNG-run, another 40 are likely to be added in March. Six CNG pumps are coming up in a few months, though there are some hiccups.

8220;The pump at Shivaji Nagar is ready. But the pipeline through the College of Military Engineering CME has run into objections from defence officials. The PCMC8217;s plan to acquire a 10-metre stretch at CME grounds has been pending for six months, though authorities claim it will be done in 1-2 weeks. After that, we may lay down the pipeline within a month,8221; said Shama Sunder, Managing Director, Maharashtra Natural Gas Ltd.

Even after CNG buses are added, the fleet would have only around half of the 2,500 buses, recommended by Central Institute of Road Transport for a city like Pune.

Proposals to bridge the gap have not made any headway. The bus-for-ad scheme 8212; buses in lieu of advertising rights 8212; as reported by The Indian Express on December 17, did not take off. Most applicants lost interest as PMPML was dragging its feet.

Story continues below this ad

The plan to take PMPML buses off the routes on the outskirts so that they can be used within the city is also stuck. 8220;PMPML8217;s job is to cater to the city. Taking buses from the outskirts would give 200 more buses for the city. We held three meetings with PMPML. The plan has not progressed in the last three months,8221; said Baba Shinde, Regional Transport Authority member.

Mini-buses were planned in congested areas having narrow roads in the city. The plan is awaiting PMPML board nod, according to Deepak Pardeshi, PMPML spokesperson. 8220;We can get private contractors to run them if needed,8221; Shinde said. But that may not be easy, because many of those who run buses on existing contracts are not keen on extending their tenure.