Agarwaltimes - PMPML goes broken to fix things

Unveiling a new 'broken bus schedule' model, transport authority's buses and staff will ply in full strength.

To maximise frequency of buses during peak hours, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has hit upon a novel idea —the broken bus schedule model. Under this, buses and staff will be plying the roads both in the morning and evening peak hours in full strength.

Currently, drivers and conductors work in two shifts. While the morning shift is from 6 am to 1 pm, the second shift starts after that and continues till 11 pm. So, the number of buses gets deployed according to the two shifts, like 1,300 in the morning and an equal number in the evening. "We have observed that maximum rush is generally during peak hours, from 9 am to 11 am and 6 pm to 9 pm. Hence, we have decided to utilise the entire strength of manpower and buses in these two time slots. Our target is to ply around 1,500- 1,600 buses during peak hours," said PMPML CMD Shrikar Pardeshi.

(Pune Mirror)

According to the broken bus schedule, around 1,100 buses will ply in the morning and an additional 400-500 will hit the road from 9 to 11 am; the number would be same as in the morning shift from 1-4 pm.

"Under this model, buses will be available as required by commuters and help improve frequency and save on expenditure," Pardeshi added. As of now, it has been implemented at two bus depots.

"We welcome this model as now, buses will be available as and when needed," said Jugal Rathi, president of PMP Pravasi Manch.

"Under this model, conductors and drivers will work in broken shifts like four hours in the morning, take a break and work again for four hours in the evening," said a depot manager.

"Route rationalisation work will get over in two months. Then, the timetable will be finalised," said Pardeshi.

Agarwaltimes