Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited

2021-08-30T23:35:03Z

108.48.114.234:

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox bus company
| name = Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML)
| logo = PMPML logo.jpg
| logo_size = 150px
| image = PMPML-bus-Nidgi-Depot.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| image_caption = A PMPML Bus at Nigdi Bus Terminal
| company_slogan =
| parent =
| founded = 19 October 2007
| headquarters = Shankar Sheth Road, [[Pune]], [[India]]
| locale = [[Pune Metropolitan Region]]
| service_area = PCMC, PMC & Hinjewadi Phase I, II, III
| service_type = [[Public transport bus service|Bus]] and [[Rainbow Bus Rapid Transit System|Rainbow BRT]]
| alliance =
| routes = 371<ref name=stats>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pmpml.org/en/about-us/statistics/|title=Statistics {{!}} Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd|website=www.pmpml.org|language=en|access-date=2018-04-13}}</ref>
| stops =
| hubs = {{flatlist|
*[[Aundh, Pune|Aundh]]
* [[Bhosari]]
* [[Chinchwad]]
* [[Deccan Gymkhana#Transport|Deccan Gymkhana]]
* [[Hadapsar#Transport|Hadapsar]]
* [[Katraj]]
* [[Kothrud#Transport|Kothrud]]
* [[Nigdi]]
* [[Pimpri]]
* [[Pune Municipal Corporation|PMC Bhavan]]
* [[Pune Station Bus Stand|Pune Railway Station]]
* [[Shivajinagar Bus Station, Pune|Shivaji Nagar]]
* [[Swargate Bus Station|Swargate]]
}}
| depots = 13<ref name=stats /> And 4 Proposed
| fleet = 1550 buses <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/commuter-survey-shows-what-pune-wants-vs-what-pmpml-delivers/story-ZclabUYnwbY9lW7dVYr3FK.html|title= Commuter Survey shows what pune wants vs What PMPML delivers|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-05-13}}</ref>
| ridership = c. 11,00,000<ref name=stats /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pune-mahanagar-parivahan-mahamandal-limiteds-move-to-increase-price-of-daily-bus-pass-irks-passengers/articleshow/58230718.cms|title=Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited''s move to increase price of daily bus pass irks passengers - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-04-13}}</ref>
| annual_ridership =
| fuel_type = Diesel, CNG, Electric
| ceo =
| leader_type = Managing Director
| leader = Laxminarayan Mishra, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.pmpml.org}}
|Electric Bus Routes=21 Routes Opreated By PMPML
With Electric Buses BRT And Non-BRT Routes Covered 70% Of Pune By Electric Buses By Normal Bus Fare Service.}}

Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd '''('''PMPML''') is the public transport bus service provider for the city of [[Pune|Pune, India]].

It operates 386 routes around the [[Pune Metropolitan Region]] including 51 [[Rainbow Bus Rapid Transit System|Rainbow BRT]] routes that partially ply on the 4 [[bus rapid transit]] corridors.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pmpml.org/en/services/regular-buses/|title=Regular Buses: Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd|website=www.pmpml.org|language=en|access-date=2018-04-13}}</ref> Since 2019, PMPML has been operating both 9 and 12 m Electric AC Buses at the same fare as regular buses.

==History==

=== Early history ===
Pune Nagarpalika, predecessor of the [[Pune Municipal Corporation|Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)]], conceived the idea of a public transport system for the city in the 1940s which materialized when the [[Regional Transport Office]] gave its nod for M/s. Silver Jubilee Motors to take up the charge. The service that began with 4 routes with 20 buses already had increased to 46 buses by 1948.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pmpml.org/en/about-us/history/|title=History {{!}} Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd|website=www.pmpml.org|language=en|access-date=2018-04-13}}</ref>

=== PMT and PCMT===
After the transformation of Pune Nagarpalika into [[Pune Municipal Corporation|PMC]] in 1950, the civic body took over the service. Pune Municipal Transport (PMT), as it was named after the takeover, started with a fleet of 57 buses that plied on 14 routes.<ref name=":1" />

The public transport provider for the industrial city, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Transport (PCMT), was founded on 4 March 1974 with a fleet of 8 buses plying between [[Pimpri]] and [[Bhosari]]. PCMT saw rapid expansion and already by 1988, it had a fleet of 101 buses plying on 13 routes.<ref name=":1" />

=== Merger ===
A proposal for merger of PMT and PCMT into a unified company to serve the larger metropolitan regions was proposed as early as 1992, when the general body of the [[Pune Municipal Corporation|PMC]] passed a resolution supporting such merger.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Boost-for-PMT-PCMT-merger-plans/articleshow/42705542.cms|title=Boost for PMT, PCMT merger plans - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-04-13}}</ref> However, the [[Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation|PCMC]] only considered a merger in 2003.<ref name=":2" /> The merger was formally announced in April 2007 and PMPML as it exists today came into being on 19 October 2007.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=PMT, PCMT merger finally through - Times of India|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/PMT-PCMT-merger-finally-through/articleshow/1932000.cms|access-date=2018-04-13}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

== Operations ==
[[File:An old PMT era bus with PMPML.JPG|thumb|An old PMT era bus with PMPML spotted in Pune university on route 25|200px]]
Per the website in April 2018, PMPML has a fleet of 1450 buses maintained at 13 depots. However due to several buses being in disrepair, only 1277 buses are operational and ferry c. 900,000 passengers every day.<ref name=stats />

PMPML acquired 50 electric buses in August 2019, taking the total fleet tally to 75. The first lot of 25 electric buses in February 2019. PMPML also plans to acquire 350 of such electric buses by the end of 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pmpml-acquires-50-electric-buses-takes-fleet-tally-to-75/articleshow/70707466.cms|title=PMPML acquires 50 electric buses, takes fleet tally to 75 {{!}} Pune News - Times of India|last=Aug 17|first=TNN {{!}} Updated|last2=2019|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-10-03|last3=Ist|first3=9:59}}</ref>

== Services ==
{{See also|Rainbow Bus Rapid Transit System}}
[[File:PMPML-Rainbow-Phule-Nagar.jpg|A bus stop on Rainbow BRT corridor|right|thumb|200px]]
PMPML operates regular scheduled services daily between 5:30 am and midnight on 371 routes.<ref name=":3" /> The frequencies on individual routes vary greatly according to demand. Certain long distance routes are serviced only a few times per day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pmpml.org/Document/New%20Pdf/regular-bus-service.pdf|title=PMPML Regular Service Schedule|website=Official website of PMPML}}</ref> Some of these routes are partially or fully run on the BRT corridors under the brand name [[Rainbow Bus Rapid Transit System|Rainbow BRTS]].

[[File:Automatic_Door_.jpg|thumb|Automatic Door]]

PMPML also operates night buses after midnight on 7 routes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pmpml.org/en/services/night-buses/|title=Night Buses {{!}} Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd|website=www.pmpml.org|language=en|access-date=2018-05-16}}</ref> On the occasion of [[International Women's Day]] 2018, PMPML launched 'Tejaswini' ([[Marathi language|Marathi:]] तेजस्विनी; radiant) bus services exclusively for women which were well received by women commuters.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/over-2-lakh-women-passengers-use-pmpml-s-tejaswini-buses-in-a-month-in-pune/story-jSoyo13CIUt1DIxcQ3fsXP.html|title=Over 2 lakh women passengers use PMPML's Tejaswini buses in a month in Pune|date=2018-04-14|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-05-16|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pmpmls-ladies-only-buses-roll-out-from-katraj-depot/articleshow/63224307.cms|title=PMPML's ladies-only buses roll out from Katraj depot - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-16}}</ref> There 218 daily Tejaswini services during the morning and afternoon peak hours on eight of the busiest routes.<ref name=":7" /> PMPML also runs special services for tourists under the name 'Pune Darshan' as well as airport services from Rajiv Gandhi IT Park, [[Hinjawadi|Hinjewadi]] to [[Pune Airport]].<ref name=":3" />

==Fare==
[[File:PMPML-ticket-box.jpg|A PMPML ticket box|right|thumb|200px]]
[[File:PMPML-CityAir-ETM.jpg|An electronic ticketing machine|right|thumb|150px]]
{| class="wikitable floatcenter"
|+Single Ticket Fare Chart (April 2018)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pmpml.org/fares/|title=Fares {{!}} Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd|website=www.pmpml.org|language=en|access-date=2018-04-13}}</ref>
! rowspan="3" |Distance (km)
! colspan="4" |Fare (₹)
|-
| colspan="2" |'''Full'''
| colspan="2" |'''Half'''
<small>'''(Children aged 3 to 12 years)'''</small>
|-
|'''Regular'''
|'''Night'''
|'''Regular'''
|'''Night'''
|-
|0-2
|5
|10
| rowspan="2" |5
|5
|-
|2-8
|10
|15
| rowspan="2" |10
|-
|8-12
|15
|20
| rowspan="2" |10
|-
|12-16
|20
|25
| rowspan="2" |15
|-
|16-22
|25
|30
| rowspan="3" |15
|-
|22-28
|30
|35
| rowspan="2" |20
|-
|28-34
|35
|40
|-
|34-40
|40
|45
| rowspan="2" |20
| rowspan="2" |25
|-
|40-44
|45
|50
|-
|44-52
|50
|55
| rowspan="2" |25
| rowspan="2" |30
|-
|52-56
|55
|60
|-
|>56
|60
|65
|30
|35
|}

Single journey tickets are valid for a single trip between any two points. They are issued as paper tickets and are to be bought on board from the conductor. The fare depends on the distance of travel (see table below) and needs to be paid in cash. Children between the ages of three and twelve years travel at reduced fares, called 'half ticket', while no fares are charged for children younger than three. Fares on the night bus services are higher.

PMPML offers daily, weekly, fortnightly, quarterly and annual traveling passes to make journeys convenient for its passengers. Discounted passes are also there for elderly passengers, visually and physically challenged, reporters and freedom fighters. All passes can be obtained both online and offline.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pmpml.org/en/citizens-corner/faqs/|title=FAQs {{!}} Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd|website=www.pmpml.org|language=en|access-date=2018-04-13}}</ref> A pass can only be used in conjunction with an identity card issued by the PMPML at a cost of ₹ 20 (+ ₹ 5 for application). As of April 2018, a monthly pass valid for a month on all routes costs ₹ 1,400, while students and senior citizens need to pay ₹ 750 and ₹ 500, respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/within-a-day-of-change-of-guard-relief-for-senior-citizens-as-pmpml-board-scraps-tukaram-mundhes-hike-on-passes-5064535/|title=Within a day of change of guard: Relief for senior citizens as PMPML board scraps Tukaram Mundhe's hike on passes|date=2018-02-15|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-04-13|language=en-US}}</ref> A day pass valid on all routes costs ₹ 70 and can only be obtained on board.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/pmpml-daily-passes-will-not-be-available-at-pass-centres/articleshow/60944838.cms|title=PMPML daily passes will not be available at pass centres - Pune Mirror -|work=Pune Mirror|access-date=2018-04-13}}</ref>

==Depots==
[[File:PMPML Volvo.JPG|thumb|right|A PMPML Volvo at [[Swargate Bus Station]].]]
PMPML currently has 14 operational bus depots.<ref>{{cite web |last=PMPML |title=PMPML - Depots and Stands |url=http://www.pmpml.org/DepotsandStands.php |publisher=PMPML |access-date=30 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Hkv2Ev20?url=http://www.pmpml.org/DepotsandStands.php |archive-date=30 June 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sr. !! Depot name
|-

| 1 || [[Swargate]]
|-
| 2 || [[Shivajinagar, Pune|Narveer Tanaji Wadi (Na.Ta.Wadi)]]
|-
| 3 || [[Kothrud]]
|-
| 4 || [[Katraj]]
|-
| 5 || [[Hadapsar]]
|-
| 6 || [[Market Yard, Pune|Market Yard]]
|-
| 7 || [[Pune Railway Station]]
|-
| 8 || Bhakti Shakti, [[Nigdi]]
|-
| 9 || Nehrunagar, [[Pimpri]]
|-
| 10 || Sadgurunagar, [[Bhosari]]
|-
|11
|Jakat Naka, [[Aundh, Pune|Aundh]]
|-
| 12 || [[Wagholi, Pune (Proposed)]]
|-
| 13 || [[Bhekraingar]]
|-
| 14 || [[Shewalewadi]]
|-
| 15 || [[Charholi (Proposed)]]
|-
| 16 || [[Hinjewadi (Proposed)]]
|}

== Issues ==

=== Operational losses ===
PMPML has been incurring heavy operational losses ever since its formation in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/even-after-launch-of-new-buses-pmpml-s-losses-increase-rs-50cr-over-last-year/story-vzw2QIbwCYj2d1zb1FANRJ.html|title=Even after launch of new buses, PMPML's losses increase by Rs 50cr|date=2017-08-18|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pmpml-continues-to-bleed-suffers-operating-losses-of-rs-210cr-in-2016-17/articleshow/62561150.cms|title=PMPML continues to bleed, suffers operating losses of Rs 210 crore in 2016-17 - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pmpml.org/en/about-us/financial-performance/|title=Financial Performance {{!}} Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd|website=www.pmpml.org|language=en|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> As per the merger contract, the [[Pune Municipal Corporation|PMC]] and [[Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation|PCMC]] bear 60% and 40% of the losses respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pmc-takes-rs-100-cr-hit-in-bus-utilitys-overall-losses/articleshow/61634582.cms|title=PMC takes Rs 100 crore hit in bus utility's overall losses - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/civic-body-threatens-to-withhold-pmpml-funds/articleshow/58847313.cms|title=Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation threatens to withhold PMPML funds - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> There have been disputes between the two civic bodies resulting in demands for dissolving the PMPML to form PMT and PCMT as they existed before 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/pmpml-s-demerger-hangs-in-the-balance/232947|title=PMPML s demerger hangs in the balance|date=2013-09-25|work=mid-day|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/PMPML-to-submit-report-next-week/articleshow/45597261.cms|title=PMPML to submit report next week - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/cover-story//articleshow/31062126.cms|title=PMC okays PMPML de-merger - Pune Mirror -|work=Pune Mirror|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>

=== Insufficient fleet and poor maintenance ===
PMPML is the sole public transport provider for the metropolitan area surrounding the twin cities of [[Pune]] and [[Pimpri-Chinchwad]] with a population of 5,057,709.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census2011.co.in/census/metropolitan/306-pune.html|title=Pune Metropolitan Urban Region Population 2011 Census|website=www.census2011.co.in|access-date=2018-05-14}}</ref> PMPML had a fleet of 1780 buses of which on an average only 1,382 were operational.<ref name="stats" /> Thus at any given moment, c. 34% of its fleet was off roads, way above the limit of 20% per the norms set by the [[Central Institute of Road Transport]] (CIRT).<ref name=audit>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pmpml-continues-to-bleed-suffers-operating-losses-of-rs-210cr-in-2016-17/articleshow/62561150.cms|title=PMPML continues to bleed, suffers operating losses of Rs 210 crore in 2016-17 - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-14}}</ref><ref name=audit1>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/pune/report-pmpml-sees-alarming-drop-in-number-of-users-1861666|title=PMPML sees alarming drop in number of users {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=2013-07-16|work=dna|access-date=2018-05-14|language=en-US}}</ref> This put the ratio of operational buses at c. 27 per 100,000 population. Reasons for these buses being off roads are mainly related to maintenance and frequent breakdowns due to several factors including insufficient manpower and facilities at PMPML depots and lack of preventive maintenance. PMPML also has a number of buses that are owned and maintained by private contractors which also suffer poor maintenance.<ref name=audit1 /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/erratic-bus-timings-lead-to-long-waits-at-pune-s-stops/238199|title=Erratic bus timings lead to long waits at Pune s stops|date=2013-10-30|work=mid-day|access-date=2018-05-14}}</ref><ref name=autit2>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Frequent-breakdown-of-PMPML-buses-add-to-traffic-jam-burden/articleshow/51901795.cms|title=Frequent breakdown of PMPML buses add to traffic jam burden - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-14}}</ref> Moreover, a significant number of buses in the fleet are older than 15 years while 746 buses are 10-15 years old making them prone to frequent breakdowns.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/pune-pmpml-leaves-commuters-stranded-months-breakdowns-5168934/|title=Pune: PMPML leaves commuters stranded; In 4 months, over 20,000 breakdowns & counting|date=2018-05-09|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-05-14|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/pune-transport-department-to-add-200-more-midi-buses-to-fleet-by-june-end/story-3c06SohaJzm2ZXFy0H3QQK.html|title=Pune transport department to add 200 more 'midi' buses to fleet by June end|date=2018-04-25|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-05-14|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/accident-statistics-driven-by-unfit-pmpml-vehicles/articleshow/63404833.cms|title=Accident statistics driven by 'unfit' PMPML vehicles - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-14}}</ref> Insufficient buses inevitably lead to overcrowding on the buses during peak hours with as many as three times the capacity riding a single bus.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic//articleshow/36219610.cms|title=RTO penalises PMPML for overcrowded buses - Pune Mirror -|work=Pune Mirror|access-date=2018-05-14}}</ref>

To alleviate the problem of insufficient buses, PMPML had decided to buy 800 new diesel buses in 2017 postponing its initial plan of buying 550 air conditioned buses.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/ac-fleet-later-pmpml-to-purchase-800-new-regular-buses-for-now/articleshow/58829851.cms|title=AC fleet later, PMPML to purchase 800 new, regular buses for now - Pune Mirror -|work=Pune Mirror|access-date=2018-05-14}}</ref> The decision drew severe criticism regarding the environmental impact of diesel buses. Several NGOs and commuter groups suggested that PMPML should buy CNG buses instead.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/pmpml-planning-to-buy-diesel-run-buses-activists-call-the-move-ridiculous-4701267/|title=PMPML planning to buy diesel-run buses, activists call the move 'ridiculous'|date=2017-06-13|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-05-14|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/careful-study-must-be-undertaken-before-purchasing-cng-or-diesel-buses-by-pmpml-says-ngo/articleshow/59353635.cms|title=Careful study must be undertaken before purchasing CNG or diesel buses by PMPML, says NGO - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-14}}</ref> As a result, it was decided that 400 CNG and 400 diesel-run buses would be bought.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/commuting-in-pune-to-get-easier-as-pmpml-all-set-to-buy-800-new-buses/story-jBwX3Y2igqhMByjd4JMtXK.html|title=Commuting in Pune to get easier as PMPML all set to buy 800 new buses|date=2017-08-17|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-05-14|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/pune-bus-service-not-too-fussy-about-environment/18786193|title=Pune bus service not too fussy about environment|date=2017-11-30|work=mid-day|access-date=2018-05-14}}</ref> However, [[List of Chief Ministers of Maharashtra|CM]] [[Devendra Fadnavis]] insisted that PMPML concentrates on eco-friendly buses in April 2018.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pmpml-to-add-500-ac-electric-buses-to-its-fleet/articleshow/64035253.cms|title=PMPML to add 500 AC electric buses to its fleet - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-14}}</ref> As of May 2018, PMPML planned to buy 500 electric air conditioned buses and 400 CNG buses.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/pmpml-to-float-tender-for-500-electric-and-400-cng-buses/story-fGdfDzKUToOwNE8tg6uoCN.html|title=PMPML to float tender for 500 electric and 400 CNG buses|date=2018-04-27|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-05-14|language=en}}</ref>

=== Infrastructure ===
PMPML does not have sufficient bus depots which leads to as many as half of the buses being parked on the streets in 2015.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/for-every-bus-parked-at-pmpml-depots-another-stands-outside/|title=For every bus parked at PMPML depots, another stands outside|date=2015-02-22|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en-US}}</ref> The drivers have also been blamed for parking haphazardly leading to traffic snarls in the busy areas of the city.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/cover-story/court-hauls-up-pmpml-driver-for-haphazard-parking-on-arterial-road/articleshow/59313452.cms|title=Court hauls up PMPML driver for haphazard parking on arterial road - Pune Mirror -|work=Pune Mirror|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/shivajinagar-traffic-woes-haunt-citizens/articleshow/63259954.cms|title=Shivajinagar traffic woes haunt citizens - Pune Mirror -|work=Pune Mirror|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> According to a [[Central Institute of Road Transport|CIRT]] report, PMPML needs 18 depots as opposed to 13 in 2016-17.<ref name="stats" /><ref name=":6" /> Recently, the development of new depots to solve the parking issue has gained some momentum.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/land-from-2-octroi-posts-to-ease-pmpml-parking-woes/articleshow/61908010.cms|title=Land from 2 octroi posts to ease PMPML parking woes - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/four-sites-approved-for-pmpml-depots-4439301/|title=Four sites approved for PMPML depots|date=2016-12-22|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en-US}}</ref> Bus shelters have been criticized for their condition, lack of seats, information, etc.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/pune-speaks/shivajinagars-pmpml-bus-stop-has-no-seats/articleshow/63834921.cms|title=Shivajinagar's PMPML bus stop has no seats - Pune Mirror -|work=Pune Mirror|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/pune-speaks/mundhwa-rd-bus-stop-keeps-people-standing/articleshow/64070074.cms|title=Mundhwa Rd bus stop keeps people standing - Pune Mirror -|work=Pune Mirror|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/pune-speaks/cant-sit-it-out-at-this-range-hills-bus-stop/articleshow/63274423.cms|title=Can't sit it out at this Range Hills bus stop - Pune Mirror -|work=Pune Mirror|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>

=== Safety and accidents ===
In 2017-18, several buses caught fire which has put a big question mark on the safety of commuters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/bus-fire-fourth-case-in-3-months-pmpml-calls-meeting-of-contractors/story-o6qwXKhgrvDY29ngi9ziTK.html|title=Bus fire: Fourth case in 3 months, PMPML calls meeting of contractors|date=2018-03-30|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-05-14|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/2-pmpml-buses-catch-fire-22-passengers-have-narrow-escape/articleshow/61954008.cms|title=2 PMPML buses catch fire, 22 passengers have narrow escape - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pmpml-bus-gutted-in-fire-in-hadapsar/articleshow/62676868.cms|title=PMPML bus gutted in fire in Hadapsar - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/cng-bus-catches-fire-25-on-board-have-a-narrow-escape/articleshow/62892256.cms|title=CNG bus catches fire, 25 on board have a narrow escape - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> Between January 2017 and March 2018, a period of 15 months, the number of such incidents had reached 16 with almost one incident per month.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/safety-of-pmpml-bus-commuters-ablaze-say-activists/story-eJ4y9xwb3RUbeySLmPuS8H.html|title=Safety of PMPML bus commuters ablaze, say activists|date=2018-03-31|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-05-14|language=en}}</ref> In an answer to a query submitted under the [[Right to Information Act, 2005|Right to Information Act]], it was revealed that PMPML owns only 124 fire extinguishers and most buses have neither undergone a fire safety audit nor do they have any fire extinguishers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/rti-exposes-pmpml-as-city-s-major-fire-safety-hazard/story-9tg1XdAKmzuiBuTtTS1zSP.html|title=RTI exposes PMPML as Pune's major fire safety hazard|date=2018-03-06|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-05-14|language=en}}</ref> PMPML have claimed that fire extinguishers on the buses are prone to theft.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pmpml-buses-prone-to-fire-extinguisher-theft-officials/articleshow/63550948.cms|title=PMPML buses prone to fire extinguisher theft: Officials - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/rto-debunks-pmpmls-fire-extinguisher-claim/articleshow/63618222.cms|title=RTO debunks PMPML's fire extinguisher claim - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> PMPML announced that all of its buses and facilities will undergo a fire safety audit and would be equipped with fire extinguishers by end of May 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pmpml-to-conduct-fire-safety-audit-of-buses/articleshow/63586711.cms|title=Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited to conduct fire safety audit of buses - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/fire-extinguishers-on-all-buses-by-may-end/articleshow/63775811.cms|title=Fire extinguishers on all buses by May-end - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

==References==
*[http://home.iitk.ac.in/~sanjay/ecoprofit.pdf An Analysis of Economic Profitability of Municipal Transport Undertakings in India]
*[http://www.transport-links.org/transport_links/filearea/publications/1_644_PA3206_1996.pdf The urban travel behavior and constraints of low income households and females in Pune, India. If PMT wants to improve its services in Pune, they must first learn from BEST (Mumbai's Bus Service) and train and motivate their conductors and drivers of PMT !]

==See also==
* [[BEST Bus]]
* [[MSRTC]]
* [[Rainbow BRTS]]
* [[Pune Bus Pravasi Sangh]]

{{Pune topics}}
{{State owned road transport companies in India}}
{{Rapid transit in India}}

[[Category:Municipal transport agencies of India]]
[[Category:Transport in Pune]]
[[Category:Companies based in Pune]]
[[Category:Transport in Pimpri-Chinchwad]]
[[Category:2007 establishments in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 2007]]
[[Category:Transport companies established in 2007]]

Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited