Commuter survey shows what Pune wants vs what PMPML delivers
PMPML has at least 2,300 bus stops in the city and a current fleet of 1, 450 buses
The absence of public toilets near bus stops, chairs and benches, shelters and display boards has affected women commuters the most while travelling in PMPML (Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd) buses, according to a survey.
The survey titled, ‘Assessment of gender patterns in public transport: A case study of Pune City in 2018’ was conducted by Archana MV, a student of Master of Science Economics, under the guidance of Jyoti Chandiramani, director, Symbiosis School of Economics.
This study was based on responses to a structured questionnaire.
A detailed survey of 100 women and 100 men, across age and socio-economic group in the city has revealed that 65 per cent of the women commuters and 36 per cent of the men said that public toilets near bus stops should be among the top priorities for the PMPML.
PMPML has at least 2,300 bus stops in the city and a current fleet of 1, 450 buses.
According to the survey the priorities for women at the bus stops include (in the following order): chairs and benches, shelters, toilets and display boards. For men, the priorities include shelter, chairs and benches, display board and toilet.
As many as 50 per cent of women and 28 per cent of men said they felt unsafe on buses. The women especially, faced inconvenience as the PMPML buses do not have separate entrances for men and women. This creates congestion at the entry and exit doors of the buses, the study said.
Of the people surveyed, 40 per cent of the men and 25 per cent of women said they used public transport on a frequent basis to travel to work. Of these, 16 per cent of the women were homemakers. Also, 77 per cent of the women and 31 per cent of men said they never use buses after 10 pm.
The women-only buses of the PMPML, which run on six routes in the city were extremely popular with the women respondents, and 90 per cent of them said that such buses would “have a high impact on their everyday travel pattern.”
According to the survey 54 per cent of the women said that reservation of seats for women would also “have a high impact on their daily travel plan.”
Majority of the women respondents (84 per cent) said the presence of lighting, closed-circuit TV (CCTV) on buses and safety alarms on buses will enhance their travel experience.
Poll code drives PMPML to issues work order for 125 e-buses
Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) issued the work order for 125 electric buses (e-buses) on Friday, before the announcement of model code of conduct.
Siddharth Shirole, PMPML director, said, “After negotiations with the company, PMPML and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) authorities on Friday evening has given the work order for hiring 125 electric buses. The order has been awarded to Olectra Greentech Ltd.”
Shirole said, “As the work order has been issued on Friday evening, there would be no hurdle in hiring the 125 buses that is expected to be added to the public transport utility fleet by June this year.”
The PMPML chief said that Tata Company also participated in the tendering process, but could not bag the order as the firm was asking for one year to deliver the buses.
“If the work order was not issued before the model code of conduct, the process would have been delayed by two months. The new 125 e-buses are air-conditioned and 12 metres in length. Olectra Greentech Ltd had provided 25 electric buses of 9 metres length and they are running on city roads,” Shirole said
The official said PMPML has already issued the work order for 400 non-air conditioned (AC) compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. “It is expected that 550 buses would be added to PMPML’s fleet before Diwali this year,” said Shirole.
“It is for the first time in PMPML’s history that a large number of buses are added to its fleet. The PMPML had already issued the work order for more 500 compressed natural gas-air conditioner buses. The tender for these buses would be open only after March 10, and it is likely that before taking any decision on it, the Lok Sabha elections would be announced. The board of directors would be able to take a decision on the same, after May,” he said.
PMPML to increase its fleet by 550 buses
-25 e-buses (9-metre length AC buses) Already added in the PMPML fleet and are running on city roads
- 125 e-buses (12 metre AC buses) - Work order issued on March 8, 2019. The buses are likely to add to PMPML’s fleet by June 2019
- 400 (12-metre non-AC CNG buses) - work order issued, buses likely to hit roads before Diwali