'How Will Common People Afford This?’ Punekars Furious Over PMPML’s Sudden Fare Hike

Commuters in Pune have voiced strong opposition to the recent fare hike by Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML), arguing that the increase will place an undue burden on daily travelers.

Many are calling for the fare hike to be reconsidered, citing issues with the city's public transport system, including poor service, infrequent buses, and inadequate infrastructure. Residents suggest that before increasing fares, PMPML should focus on improving routes, safety, and bus frequency to make public transport a more reliable option for commuters.

Speaking with the Free Press Journal, Pratik Dolare, a commuter, said, "PMPML has suddenly increased the fare by 60 percent. It should be revoked, as a 10 percent hike would be more reasonable. How would common people afford this increased fare? There's a reason people use public transport and wait for hours to board the bus: because the fare is cheap."

Another commuter, Satish Mehta, said, "There's no point in waiting for a bus anymore. They have increased the fare without considering the daily passengers. The bus is a public transport system used by everyone, including those with little income. If the cost of public transport increases like this, there will be no reason to use it. In Pune, people are buying their own vehicles because it's more convenient for them; they don't have to wait for hours, and now with the fare hikes, people may switch to their own transport."

Tanuja Singh, a resident of Ravet, said, "I commute by bus because we haven't got the metro system yet. Also, unlike Mumbai, there's no other means of public transport except the bus. But I found out that PMPML has increased bus fares, and it's not a small increase. I used to buy a daily pass for Rs 50, and now I have to pay Rs 70. My friends, who use scooters, told me they have an advantage because there is no waiting time, and by filling Rs 100 worth of petrol, they can cover a good distance."

'Raising PMPML fares without addressing the poor service is a joke'

Varsha Patil, another resident, said, "Raising PMPML fares without addressing the poor service is a joke. Commuters need buses, not just bills. They need improved routes, safety, and frequency first, then talk about fares. For instance, Route No. 326 used to have 4 buses; now there are only 3, with one usually out of service. Similarly, Route No. 334 has only one bus running at a 2-hour frequency. How are students and office-goers supposed to reach on time? Naturally, they turn to rickshaws. Even if a bus is operational, if it’s infrequent, passengers suffer and PMPML loses potential revenue. Route No. 302 has 4 buses running every 20 minutes, and Route No. 304 runs every 15 minutes. If one bus from 302 or 304 is reassigned to 326 or 334, the frequency could be improved to 30 minutes on those routes."

She added, "The main bus stop staff often has no information about bus timings. They rely on online tools but still can't say when the bus will arrive. If a bus hasn't come for 2 hours and others are available, don't they have the authority to manage alternatives?"

"Basic infrastructure issues remain unaddressed—many bus stops lack lighting, and some are frequented by people drinking alcohol, compromising the safety of women. Complaints go unresolved due to the absence of corporators and lack of accountability. For example, the Chikhali bus stop in Pimpri is always dark and unsafe. Bus drivers park in the middle of the road to avoid branches at bus stops, which further disrupts traffic. Who is responsible for addressing lighting, cleanliness, and safety? Fare hikes alone are not the solution. Raising fares by 60 percent is almost a joke," added Patil.

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