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All StoriesPCMC Propose PMPML To Restart The Free Pass Plan For Students
By akansha, Section Local Transportation
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will shortly ask the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) to restart the free bus pass scheme for students in the municipal limits.
The PMPML has provided 80 buses for ferrying school students, and the PMC has already implemented the free bus pass scheme for this academic year after resolving all payment related issues. Speaking to TOI on Monday, Ashish Sharma, municipal commissioner said, "The civic administration has tabled a proposal before the standing committee to clear the arrears of the free bus pass scheme incurred during last year. We also will inform the PMPML to restart the free bus pass scheme." The civic administration has tabled a proposal to give Rs 2.62 crore to PMPML for payment of arrears. The proposal will come up at the weekly meeting of the standing committee, to be held on July 27. The proposal states payment of Rs 1.64 crore was made to PMPML after receipt of a letter dated April 26. The civic body had to pay total dues of Rs 4.26 crore. Source: Times Of India Boost for free pass plan Click On "Full Story" For More.... (357 words in story) Full Story & Your Comments
PMPML Fare To Go Up By Rs2 Per Ticket
By sakshi sinha, Section Local Transportation
Commuters travelling by Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) buses would have to pay an additional fare of Rs2 per ticket. The PMPML board of directors (BoD) decided to increase the fare at a meeting on Friday. It also proposed to hike the monthly charges for regular passes by Rs100. The charges for students and senior citizens' passes would remain unchanged.
PMPML chairman and managing director (CMD) Dilip Band, Pune mayor Mohansingh Rajpal, Pimpri-Chincwad mayor Yogesh Behl, PMC standing committee chairman Arvind Shinde, his PCMC counterpart Prashant Shitole, municipal commissioners Mahesh Zagade and Ashish Sharma, and joint managing director of PMPML Satish Kulkarni attended the meeting. The board's proposal would be placed before the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), Pune for its final approval. The proposal is unlikely to face any hurdle as Band is the chairman of the RTA. PMPML sources said the hike was essential due to hike in diesel prices. The transport utility had proposed a hike of Rs3 per ticket but the board reduced it to Rs2. "The PMPML increased the fares marginally three years ago. Later, we had to roll back the hike after the diesel prices came down," said an official. Source: dnaindia.com By Abhay Khairnar PMPML fare to go up by Rs2 per ticket
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Introduce AC Asiad Buses On Pune-Mumbai Route
By sakshi sinha, Section Local Transportation  Travel between Pune and Mumbai is all set to get more comfortable and financially viable.The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will introduce an air-conditioned model of its flagship Asiad bus in a few months. To start with, the 39-seater AC buses will run on the Pune-Mumbai route on a date which will be declared soon, said MSRTC officials. The MSRTC can pride itself in being the first state road transport corporation in the country to introduce air-conditioned buses in the low-cost category. The order for the first lot of buses has been placed while the fabrication work is underway, say officials. As of now, the MSRTC runs Volvo buses (Shivneri) on the Pune-Mumbai route. Introduction of AC Asiad bus would be a step ahead in providing comfort to passengers at reasonably low fare. The cost to remake each bus is Rs 23.5 lakh (approximately). The MSRTC officials are confident that the new service will draw more passengers towards the state transport and in a way help check illegal transport operators. Divisional controller of Pune division of MSRTC, Shivaji Sonawane, said, "The proposal is in the pipeline and we are awaiting confirmation from the headquarters." For MSRTC, the Pune-Mumbai route is the busiest with about 70 Volvo trips to Dadar, Borivali and Thane every day. Besides, Asiad buses leave Pune station for Dadar every 15 minutes with pick up points at Aundh, Hinjewadi, Pimpri and Chinchwad. Source: Times Of India By Sarang Dastane AC Asiad buses on Pune-Mumbai route
Encrochment Shrinks Parking Space
By akansha, Section Local Transportation
PMPML is clearly grappling with deficient infrastructure. The increasing number of buses and shortage of space in depots are creating parking problems for the PMPML. "Where should we park the buses if the capacity of the depots is almost half the number of buses. With new buses coming, only new depots will solve the problem," officials argue.
Currently, PMPML has 11 depots with the one at Nehrunagar in Pimpri being the latest addition. It also has two central maintenance workshops with capacities of 50 and 25 at Nigdi and Swargate respectively. The total number of buses these 13 locations can house is 861 as against the total fleet strength of 1,578 buses.
 Sunil Burse, chief engineer with PMPML said, "Almost all over depots are stuffed with double the number of buses they can carry. The capacities that we are talking about are also much more than the ideal capacities, with systematic angular placing of buses and not like what we presently do which can damage bus bodies while buses are being moved." Another senior PMPML officer said, "At three of our bus depots, areas available to us have literally been halved due to one or other reason in the last few years. A police station has been built on the land which was earlier with us at the Hadapsar depot. We lost half the area at the Swargate depot due to road widening. We thus have to park the buses at night at a spot away from the actual spot of starting, incurring extra fuel charges. People and traffic experts expect service quality like that by BEST in Mumbai, how many of them compare our infrastructure with that of BEST? Some of the BEST depots are spread over more than 70 acres. Total area under our bus depots is not more than 40 acres." Source: The Indian Express By SUSHANT KULKARNI Encrochment shrinks parking space Click On "Full Story" For More.... (511 words in story) Full Story & Your Comments
Pimpri Grade Separator Turns Into Traffic Blocker
By akansha, Section Local Transportation  Grade separator, which was built to ease traffic flow, has become a traffic hotspot due to accidents involving heavy vehicles. Police cite poor visibility of signboards banning entry of such vehicles and failure to comprehend instructions by inter-state driversThe Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation had built the grade separator in Pimpri for the smooth flow of traffic on the Pune-Mumbai stretch of National Highway 4 (NH 4). But, the poor visibility of the signboards and the unfamiliar language on them is posing problems for the drivers of many heavy vehicles, leading to accidents and traffic jams. The grade separator on the highway passing through PCMC area was inaugurated in 2006. PCMC had built the separator to ease the traffic situation on the highway. However, the area around the grade separator have become notorious for traffic snarls. In the last one year, there were 46 incidents when traffic was affected on the highway after heavy vehicles met with accidents within the grade seperator. Out of those 46 incidents, eight incidents were major as the vehicles which entered the short grade separator damaged the bridge because of their height. The traffic police cite the poor visibility of the board for the problem. Assistant Police Inspector R S Sathe, who is in charge of the Pimpri traffic division said, "The height of the grade separator is one feet less due to which heavy vehicles which have height more than 4.5 metres get stuck at the entrance of the grade separator." Sathe also claimed, "PCMC has installed signboards before the entrance of the grade separator to indicate the ban on the entry of heavy vehicles in grade separators, however the boards are so close to the entrance that the drivers see those boards at the last moment and turning back from that spot is impossible for the heavy vehicles. The vehicles which try to reverse also cause accidents." Source: punemirror.in By Vijay Chavan and Anurag Bende Pimpri grade separator turns into traffic blocker Click On "Full Story" For More.... (623 words in story) Full Story & Your Comments
No Traffic Rules For Transport Utility ? Seems So .....
By sakshi sinha, Section Local Transportation  While there are such spots across the city, the impunity with which the public utility breaks the law is most evident along a 100-metre stretch outside the Pune Municipal Corporation office alongside the river Mutha, also known as the Congress Bhavan road. This is where over 50 buses are parked on either side of the divider, from early evening till the morning hours, hindering flow of other vehicles. City DCP (traffic), Manoj Patil admitted this was an issue. "The problem of PMPML buses can definitely be solved by better management of flow of buses. We also organise training programmes for PMPML drivers," he said. A senior traffic police officer said the issue had to be tackled at a different level. "There is serious lack of co-ordination between traffic police and PMPML authorities... Buses are supposed to use the leftmost lane. But they keep packing into at least two lanes of the road. There seems to be no rule of the law for PMPML buses," he said. Traffic police department that has set out to teach commuters the finer points of lane-driving also seem toothless against PMPML drivers notorious for taking a huge turn from extreme left to extreme right on busy junctions. At the receiving end are pedestrians and commuters on bikes and in cars. Source: The Indian Express By SUSHANT KULKARNI No traffic rules for transport utility? Seems so Click On "Full Story" For More.... (540 words in story) Full Story & Your Comments
Now, Transport Utility Eyes Bus Fare Hike
By akansha, Section Local Transportation
Express News Service Commuting in the city is set to be costlier. After the recent hike in auto rickshaw fares, it is now the turn of the transport utility Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML). The meeting of its board of directors on Friday is expected to take a decision in this regard.
However, the fare hike will need a sanction from the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) before it is implemented. PMPML chairman and managing director Dilip Band has already made it clear that there was no option but to increase the tariffs in the near future as the fuel prices had gone up. "A meeting of board of directors is scheduled this Friday, during which, we are going to table a proposal on fare hike. The board is likely to give it a green signal this time. The details will be decided at the meeting," joint director Satish Kulkarni said. "The PMPML has also recently hiked the salaries of employees, which has also increased our financial burden. Fare hike is a necessity now." Source: The Indian Express Now, transport utility eyes bus fare hike
RTO Renews Efforts To Issue ID Cards To Rickshaw Drivers
By sakshi sinha, Section Local Transportation
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) has stepped up efforts to distribute identity cards to rickshaw drivers. This, it hopes, will prevent the use of fake badges, a problem brought to the fore by the recent incident in which a rickshaw driver assaulted two women after they refused to give him extra money. The rickshaw driver, it was later found, had a fake identity badge.
In the last five months, the RTO has distributed over 5,000 identity cards and will take up special drives on weekends to increase the distribution of cards. According to regional transport officer Chandrakant Kharatmal, "Though we have been distributing identity cards since February 2010, a fresh order was issued in this regard to all RTOs under the Pune jurisdiction on June 1. The order states that all rickshaw drivers should be given an identity card when he goes to the RTO." There are around 45,000 rickshaws in the city. When asked what steps were being taken to track down those with fake identity badges, Kharatmal said that drives were being undertaken in the city. However, he admitted that it was difficult to check every badge during these drives. He said there are significant numbers of fake identity badges in the city. Kharatmal said that cases have also been registered wherein a rickshaw driver's badge is being used by a third person. "To overcome these problems, we have decided to distribute identity cards, which will have the photo of the rickshaw driver or badge owner and other details including licence number and details of vehicle registration. We plan to hold special drives on Saturdays and Sundays at the RTO to distribute the cards," said Kharatmal. He said that an identity card is mandatory for every rickshaw driver. The driver should collect his identity card from the RTO and carry it during duty hours. A photo copy of the identity card should be displayed on the back of driver's seat in the rickshaw. The RTO has also appealed to rickshaw federations in the city to create awareness about carrying the identity cards. Baba Shinde, a member of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), said, "The issue of fake badges will be discussed at the forthcoming RTA meeting." Source: Times Of India By Sarang Dastane RTO renews efforts to issue ID cards to rickshaw drivers
Eco-Friendly Rickshaw To Help Postmen Deliver Mail Faster
By akansha, Section Local Transportation  With rickshaw pullers from the northeastern state as the prime target, the Solekshaw, derived from solar-enabled rickshaw, was conceptualised by the CSIR. "While there can be different uses of the vehicle, the pilot batch expected in a couple of months is meant for postal delivery. The batteries can be charged by solar power at charging stations located at various post offices." Designed for a 50-km range, the Solekshaw has a specially-designed delivery box that can carry up to 50 kg load, a prime necessity for postmen who are known to cover an average of 45 km a day with loads ranging between 10 kg and 15 kg. The key features of the vehicle include ecofriendliness, zero emission transport, increase in the speed of postal delivery and reduction of manual labour. At an estimated price of Rs 25,000, Solekshaw was launched by Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Sachin Pilot in Delhi recently. "It is the endeavour of the ministry to use green technology for delivering services in an efficient and eco-friendly manner. This effort is a step forward towards the government's efforts to modernise and digitalise the Indian Post Services under Project Arrow," he had said at the launch. The first batch of Solekshaw is expected to be used by postal agents in Rajasthan. Source: The Indian Express By PRANAV KULKARNI Eco-friendly rickshaw to help postmen deliver mail faster
PCMC To Revise Free Bus Pass Plan
By ugesh sarkar, Section Local Transportation
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will implement a revised version of the free bus pass scheme for students in the current academic year.
Municipal commissioner Ashish Sharma said the accounts department has been directed to work out the exact expected expenditure on the scheme. "There are some discrepancies that need to be sorted out. The PCMC plans to begin the scheme in the current academic year." He said the PCMC has told the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) to recalculate the cost of the scheme. "The plan will be implemented after we get the new estimate and subsequent approval from the standing committee as well as the general body." Standing committee chairman Prashant Shitole said, "The PMPML is demanding Rs 8 crore from the PCMC, as expenses, which is exorbitant." Source: Times Of India PCMC to revise free bus pass plan Click On "Full Story" For More... (282 words in story) Full Story & Your Comments
Pune Police Has Declared Traffic Diversions For Wednesday And Thursday
By akansha, Section Local Transportation
The traffic wing of the Pune police has declared closure of some of the roads in the city for Wednesday and Thursday, when Pune will bid farewell to Pandharpur bound Palkhis which were stationed in the city for two days.
The Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi, will begin its further journey from Nivdungya Vitthal Mandir in Nana Peth on Wednesday. The route tracing Vithoba Mandir-Aruna Chowk-AD Camp-Bhavani Mata Mandir Chowk will remain closed, said a press release issued here on Tuesday. The alternate route has been provided for traffic towards and from Camp and Bibwewadi areas. Citizens have been asked to use Laxmi Road and Ambedkar Road for Camp and Shankarshet Road, Bajirao Road have been suggested as alternative for Kondhwa and Bibwewadi bound traffic. Roads towards Sasvad and Solapur will be closed as the Palkhi approaches these areas. Three alternate routes have been suggested. Commuters from Solapur are suggested to take the route, Chowfula-Kedgaon-Pargaon Nhavare-Nagar Road or Theur Fata Kesnand-Wagholi-Lonikand. Commuters from Sasvad are suggested to take the route via Bapdev Ghat-MantarwadiFata-Katraj Bypass. The Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi will leave Pune on Thursday from Bhavani Peth Vithoba Mandir at 5 am in the morning. Various routes will be closed step by step till the time Palkhi crosses the boundaries of Pune. For detailed information or any other queries and complaints, contact: 26123520 or 26208225. Source: The Indian Express Traffic diversions today Click On "Full Story" For More.... (336 words in story) Full Story & Your Comments
Heavy Vehicles To Be Banned On Talegaon-Chakan Road
By sakshi sinha, Section Local Transportation
Starting on July 9, heavy vehicles will be banned from travelling on the Talegaon-Chakan road section during the day.
Sanjay Sinha Chavan, subdivisional magistrate, Maval, sub-division said, "The movement of heavy vehicles will be banned from 7 am to 7 pm under the section 33 of Bombay Police Act. The executive engineer of public works department (PWD) and the Talegaon Municipal Council (TMC) have also been directed to remove encroachments along this road to reduce congestion." He stated that heavy vehicles should use alternative roads while going to Chakan. They can via the Bhakti Shakti chowk, Nigdi, on the Pune-Mumbai highway to Chakan. The superintendent of police and police department will erect barricades and other structures to enforce the ban. Speaking to TOI, Suresh Chaudhary, president, Talegaon Dabhade state highway (proposed) action committee said, "State highway no 55 passes through Talegaon town and there are schools, colleges, hospitals and houses surrounding the road. A number of fatal accidents have occurred on this road, so the residents formed an all-party action committee two years ago to demand that heavy vehicles be banned on this road." Chaudhary said the TMC has approved a resolution on this demand. A delegation comprising Maval MLA Bala Bhegde, other party leaders and action committee officebearers met the PWD officials and suggested that heavy vehicles going to Chakan MIDC be asked to use an alternative road going through Navlakh Umbre village." He stated that Maval subdivisional magistrate Sanjay Chavan met the action committee members and promised that the ban would be implemented for 12 hours. He said that efforts would be made to develop the alternative road through Navlakh Umbre village in a year and later there would be total ban on heavy vehicles on the Talegaon-Chakan road. Source: Times Of India Heavy vehicles to be banned on Talegaon-Chakan road
Traffic Diversions During Palkhi Procession
By akansha, Section Local Transportation
 Source: Times Of India Traffic diversions during procession
NGO For Action Against Faulty Auto Meters, Yearly Checking Of Meters Must: RTO
By sakshi sinha, Section Local Transportation  City-based NGO Sajag Nagrik Manch has demanded that the Regional Transport Office (RTO) undertake an extensive survey against faulty autorickshaw meters. The organisation said that commuters often pay more due to faulty meter readings."We have received many complaints from commuters about meters running fast. They have also observed that the fare is not always the same for the same distance. There is a significant difference between meter reading in different autos," the NGO's members Vishwas Sahastrabuddhe and Vivek Velankar said. Velankar, who said that 5 to 10 per cent meters are tampered with, said that the drive would create awareness among the automen and commuters about the meters. "Automen should check the meters with the RTO every year," he said. He has suggested that the RTO involve citizens in the drive. "The RTO should show citizens how the meters are tampered with. They can also suggest methods to check the meters. This will help them check the meter's functioning and register a complaint if the meter is faulty." According to regional transport officer Chandrakant Kharatmal, "It is mandatory for automen to check the meter's functioning every year at the RTO. Meters are checked during surprise drives conducted by the RTO and the traffic police." Regional Transport Authority member Baba Shinde said that around 10 to 20% autos in the city have tampered meters. However, it is difficult to identify them. The RTA has planned to conduct a surprise drive soon to check the meters at places across the city.
 "We may introduce electronic meters which would restrict the tampering," said Shinde. He said that every meter has 4 seals--two on the upper side and two at the bottom of the meter. Automen usually break the seal and fix it to charge more fare. Source: Times Of India By Sarang Dastane NGO for action against faulty auto meters
Transport Authority Okays Auto Fare Hike, Unions Seek More
By akansha, Section Local Transportation Rickshaw Panchayat demands Rs 11 for the first km, Rs 9 for every subsequent km The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) on Wednesday decided to raise the autorickshaw fares to Rs 11 for the first km and Rs 8 for the subsequent km from Rs 10 and Rs 7 respectively. The Rickshaw Panchayat has, however, demanded Rs 11 and Rs 9 as fares, creating a confusion over their implementation.
 The panchayat has now decided to hold a meeting on Thursday to discuss the fare hike. The RTA had convened a meeting to discuss the fare hike, following a directive from the state transport department last week to allow a hike of Re1. However, no decision was taken at the meeting. While the RTA members wanted to raise the fare to Rs 11 for the first km and Rs 8 for the subsequent km, the members of autorickshaw unions wanted Rs 9 for the subsequent km. The RTA members had given a deadline to the Rickshaw Panchayat till Wednesday evening to take a decision. "At the meeting, we had put before the autorickshaw union members a fare hike of Rs 11 and Rs 8. However, they want more hike. Source: The Indian Express Transport authority okays auto fare hike, unions seek more Click On "Full Story" For More.... (351 words in story) Full Story & Your Comments
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