Pune Public Transport

[asterix1]

Pune's public transportation sucks.

[cncity]

Pune: Mumbai might be ahead of Pune in terms of human population, but when it comes to vehicle population, the city easily overtakes the maximum city.

According to data collected by the Pune traffic police, while Mumbai has around 21 lakh vehicles, Pune has reached the 23 lakh mark. And, if the number of vehicles in Pimpri-Chinchwad are added, the number goes over 31 lakh.

Poor public transport system is a major reason due to which people in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are forced to use private vehicles.

It is because of this that the number of private vehicles are increasing and the number of accidents are also on the rise.

Interestingly, Mumbai has a population of around 1.25 crore while, Pune, including Pimpri-Chinchwad, has a population of around 55 lakh.

Deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Vishwas Pandhare, said, “Nearly 775 new vehicles are registered in Pune RTO in a day which adds to the traffic in the city.”

“In Mumbai, nearly 80 per cent of the private vehicles are cars but in Pune, two-wheelers outnumber the four-wheelers and the bikers are the main victims in road accidents. Looking at the fatalities of last year, on an average one person dies in road accident every day in Pune,” Pandhare said.

As far as the public transport system is concerned, the statistics show the difference between the transport system in Pune and Mumbai.

While Mumbai has around 4,680 buses along with a network of local trains spread across the state capital, Pune has only 1,500-1,600 buses for the whole population of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

To add to the commuters’ agony, nearly 300-350 buses of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) remain off the roads due to bad condition.

Pandhare said, “Strengthening of public transport system in Pune is the need of the hour. However, the present service of the PMPML is not up to the expectations of the public. That’s why they don’t want to travel by buses. Municipal authorities should also work to strengthen the city’s public transport system and introduce metro rail service too.”

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MAH...n-3017781.html

[adam_india]

Two lakh more vehicles, RTO

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) earned a revenue of Rs 851 crore in fiscal 2011-’12 as against the target of Rs 924 crore. This is an increase of Rs 185 crore compared to last year, when the figure had stood at Rs 666.66 crore. This year, an additional 1.60 lakh two-wheelers and over 43,000 four wheelers were added to city roads. Till March 31, 2011, Pune had a total of 20,91,008 vehicles.

By way of fines, Rs 5.83 crore was raised and another Rs 9.74 crore came through taxes. The Pune region of the RTO includes Pune, Pimpri-Chichwad, Solapur, Akluj and Baramati. The figures are for the period April 1, 2011-March 31, 2012.

Deputy RTO SP Dhaigude, said, “For Pune city, we have achieved 89 per cent of the target set for the financial year. The set target was Rs 497 crore and we have collected Rs 440 crore. In Pimpri-Chinchwad, we achieved 92 per cent, with a total collection of Rs 261 crore. Such high revenue figures were mainly generated due to the increase in the number of vehicle registration and large sums collected in penalties.”

In the past 10 days, 7,500 new vehicles were registered with RTO, Pune, leading to a revenue of Rs 30 crore. Senior RTO officials said 700-800 vehicles had been registered with the transport body daily since Gudi Padwa day.

source: IE

Where is the road space?
Where is Metro rail, better public transport?

Over 2 million vehicles! (not to mention those not registered in Pune).
That's like 1 vehicle for every 2 persons!

[devendra1]

Originally Posted by adam_india

Two lakh more vehicles, RTO

source: IE

Where is the road space?
Where is Metro rail, better public transport?

Over 2 million vehicles! (not to mention those not registered in Pune).
That's like 1 vehicle for every 2 persons!

If you see the previous article pune + PCMC =31 Lakh vehicles. We need Metro Badly

[adam_india]

According to the recent Economic Survey of Maharashtra, the average number of commuters travelling by the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) buses increased by 64,000 between 2009-2010 and 2010-11. PMPML officials confirmed that the number of commuters has been rising every year since the time PMT and PCMT services were merged about five years ago.
As per the survey, 11.72 lakh passengers travelled by PMPML buses every day in 2009-2010. The figure rose to 12.36 lakh in 2010-2011. However, the report claims that there has been no corresponding increase in the number of PMPML buses that ply in Pune city and Pimpri-Chinchwad areas on 327 routes. In fact, from an average of 1,236 buses on roads every day in 2009-2010, the figure came down to 1,235 in in 2010-2011.

However, PMPML officials disagree. PMPML spokesperson Deepak Pardeshi said PMPML runs a fleet of nearly 1,600 buses every day. “Over 1,250 buses belong to PMPML while rest are on contract,” he said.

Satish Kulkarni, joint managing director of PMPML, said at any given point of time, around 15 per cent buses are under maintenance. “Till now we have been trying to meet the requirement with hired buses. The shortage is felt during the peak hours and the bus frequency is affected. However, we are soon going to decide on increasing our fleet,” said Kulkarni.

Pardeshi said when PMT and PCMT were merged, eight lakh commuters travelled by PMPML. “In five years, over three lakh commuters have been added,” he said. This, he said, was due to an increase in the number of buses. “When both of them merged, there were 1,000 buses,” he added. “Every year, there is a four per cent natural increase in the number of commuters. Sometimes, it is more.”

Civic activist Prashant Inamdar said the increase in the number of commuters is due to improved connectivity. “Earlier, PCMT buses plied only up to Pune railway station. They were not allowed near PMC headquarters. Now, there is one bus every four to five minutes to PMC headquarters from Pimpri-Chinchwad,” he said. However, he said, there is still a long way to go before PMPML offers complete connectivity and better travel to commuters across the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Sunil Burse, chief engineer, PMPML said, “Around 225 new buses will be launched in next three months. However, almost the same number of buses will be scrapped.”

Jugal Rathi of the PMP Pravasi Manch said while there is no denying that more buses are required, with planning and optimum utilsation of available resources, the same number of passengers can be managed. “At present, they don’t have enough drivers, so even if they introduce more buses, who is going to drive them? Over 100 buses are lying in the depot for want of drivers. Secondly, there is a requirement for more bus depots,” he said, adding, for every 100 buses, one depot is needed. At present, there are 10; five more should be there, he said.

Rathi added that since the buses are not parked at depots, it leads to unwanted damage that results in extra expenditure on maintenance.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-n...-rises/934369/

Doesnt surprise, but the buses are absolutely overcrowded and still PMPML is in losses!

[cncity]

PUNE: The fact that the use of personal motor vehicles like cars and twowheelers have increased over the last 10 years in Pune district is nothing new. What is new though is that the district now has the highest number of households in the state using their own vehicles for commuting.

Over the last 10 years, since 2001, Pune district has surpassed even Mumbai (Mumbai central and Mumbai suburban districts) when it comes to the number of households using cars or similar vehicles like jeeps or vans for commuting. These facts are revealed in the Housing Census Data released recently by the Directorate of Census Operations of Maharashtra.

Of the 35 districts in the state, Pune has 13.2% households using cars as a mode of commuting, Mumbai suburban district comes second with 12.8% and the central district of Mumbai comes third with 12.6%.

However, in 2001, central Mumbai district and Mumbai suburban district were ahead of Pune. The number of households in Pune using cars was 6.5%, which has now more than doubled. Mumbai central district had 9.4% households using cars and Mumbai suburban district had 7.6%. Although the number of households using cars in Mumbai has also increased over the period, it has not moved ahead of Pune district.

Overall state figures show that in Maharashtra, the number of households using cars has increased from 3.4% to 5.9% in the last 10 years. The districts which have low number of households using this mode of transport include Gadhchiroli (1.3%), Washim (1.4%), Hingoli (1.7%), Buldhana (1.8%) and Nandurbar, Bhandara , Yavatmal, Nanded and Parbhani (all 1.95%).

Meanwhile, there has been a similar growth in the number of households using two-wheelers (motorcycles , scooters and mopeds). As per the census data, Pune district has the highest number of households (48.8%) in the state using two-wheelers . However, use of two-wheelers is not so high in Mumbai central and Mumbai suburban districts. In fact, after Pune, comes Ahmednagar district which has 35.5% households using two-wheelers . The districts which have very low percentages of households using two-wheelers include Gadhchiroli (12.1%) and Nandurbar (12.3%). 16.6% households in Mumbai central district and 15.3% households in Mumbai suburban district use two-wheelers .

Commenting on the census data, Harshad Abhyankar of the Save Pune Traffic Movement, an organisation working for sustainable and safe transport facilities, said, "It is obvious that the increased use of two-wheelers and cars is only because of the poor public transport facilities . The situation worsens as one moves into the interior areas of the district. The network, reach and frequency of state transport buses are not good enough to cater to the transport needs of the citizens there."

In Mumbai, on the other hand, public transport facilities such as the suburban railway system, bus transport and other facilities are among the best that the country has, Abhyankar said. "This is the reason why the growth in use of cars and two-wheelers is not much in Mumbai ."

A report of the Central Institute of Road Transport for improvement in public transport in the city also said that an efficient, reliable, regular and affordable bus transport service is essential for Pune. This, the report said, would reduce the use of personal vehicles. The Pune traffic police have also been insisting that public transport in the city should be improved so that people do not use their personal vehicles as frequently.

Meanwhile, figures about vehicle registrations released recently by the Regional Transport Office in Pune said that over two lakh vehicles were registered in 2011-12 . Officials said that it is for the first time that the number has crossed the two-lakh mark in one year. The total number of vehicles registered in Pune city has, so far, reached 23.13 lakh. About 74% (17.07 lakh) vehicles in the city are two-wheelers and 14% (3.33 lakh) are cars.

RTO officials said that the annual vehicle registration has seen an upward trend over the last four years. In 2008-09 , about 1.23 lakh vehicles were registered, the figure increased to 1.45 lakh in 2009-10 and to 1.86 lakh new vehicles in 2010-11 . The RTO registers as many as 20 types of vehicles every year.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/12683590.cms

[adam_india]

Civic body unfolds four BRTS corridors

Already struggling to ensure effective implementation of Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) on the pilot route, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has now decided to start work on the four corridors — 73 km of dedicated routes connecting the four corners of the city.
Officials of Infrastructure Leasing and Finance Services Ltd and Integrated Road Development Project along with the civic administration made a presentation to the leaders of political parties in the city on Monday. The four routes include Warje-Kharadi via J M Road, Paud Phata-Vishrantwadi via Ganeshkhind Road, Dhayari-Hadapsar and Katraj-Kalewadi.

“We have decided to give in-principle approval to start the work on four BRTS routes. Political leaders have given some suggestions to the civic administration to ensure effective and hassle-free implementation,” said Subhash Jagtap, Leader of the House in PMC.

Congress leader Arvind Shinde said his party will study the routes before taking a stand on implementation.

In its presentation, the civic administration said they would begin the ground work for BRTS in the next two months and work on implementing the system will begin later on. There will be no dedicated route on flyovers.

The civic administration has set priorities for implementing the BRTS. It will first remove the existing punctures — gaps on dividers for pedestrians. However, other provisions, like overhead bridges or underways, will be made for pedestrians to cross roads.

Secondly, the administration will coordinate with traffic police to undertake traffic control measure on the route and ensure smooth flow of traffic. The administration would simultaneously urge PMPML to rationalise the routes for citizens’ convenience.

“We will remove all hurdles for effective implementation of BRTS. The buses will start running on dedicated routes only after the work is complete,” said civic officials.

A recent study had shown that implementation of BRTS would help reduce the number of accidents on these routes and increased frequency of buses would decrease the number of vehicles on the roads.

The PMC undertook the BRTS project five years ago. The pilot route from Katraj to Hadapsar was opposed by citizens and political parties. However, the administration continued with its implementation.

http://www.financialexpress.com/news...idors/946621/0

[adam_india]

All I can say is that dedicated lanes are useless as there is a traffic signal every half a kilometre. This is not going to reduce the journey time of the buses and is just going to lead to massive traffic jams. These babus just do copy and paste from somewhere else without analysing the actual situation on the ground.

The four routes include Warje-Kharadi via J M Road, Paud Phata-Vishrantwadi via Ganeshkhind Road, Dhayari-Hadapsar and Katraj-Kalewadi.

Dedicated lanes are madness I say, utter madness!

However, other provisions, like overhead bridges or underways, will be made for pedestrians to cross roads.

where the hell in the city has this actually worked? Putting barriers is just going to make matters worse. Making old people and children climb stairs. Put up more traffic signals I say.

A recent study had shown that implementation of BRTS would help reduce the number of accidents on these routes and increased frequency of buses would decrease the number of vehicles on the roads.

Would like to actually see that report. Care to make it public?

The pilot route from Katraj to Hadapsar was opposed by citizens and political parties.

It was opposed for a reason and it has been proven so, look at the mess and the roads there are absolutely wide. Common people have more common sense!

[adam_india]

Now,UDD to focus on traffic,transport woes

Pune: After cracking the whip on the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to clear encroachments on footpaths,the state urban development department (UDD) has now taken up the task to resolve Punes traffic and transportation issues.
The UDD will hold a meeting with elected representatives and PMC officials on Thursday to discuss traffic plans,pending projects,the comprehensive mobility plan and construction of a high capacity mass transit route.
Sources in the department said that top UDD officials will attend the meeting.The meeting comes on the backdrop of the state governments recent initiative to push a ring road plan for the city.
Giving a new lease of life to a long-pending proposal,the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) recently proposed a 161.73-km ring road around Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad,which will divert heavy traffic to the outskirts of the two cities.The project is estimated to cost Rs 10,408 crore.
The state is also likely to approve the first phase of the metro rail project this week.On this backdrop,the state would like to take a comprehensive review of the traffic and transport in the city.Besides,the central UDD has published a draft report on transportation.All these issues will be discussed at the meeting, said a PMC official.
The central UDD,in its draft report on making cities more livable by providing good public transport and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists,said recently that major cities facing traffic and transportation problems should have an implementable mobility plan that focuses on people instead of vehicles.
The report mentioned the parameters for the national mission on sustainable habitat and said that every city needs to have an urban metropolitan transport authority (UMTA).This authority should prepare the implementable mobility plan,which should be part of the master plan prepared by the development authority,ie,the municipal corporation.
Pune does not have a UMTA or an implementable mobility plan.The PMC has prepared a comprehensive mobility plan,but has not taken any decision on its implementation in the last two years.A senior civic official said that the report has been placed before the civic general body.

http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/...=&publabel=TOI

[adam_india]

First time since its formation, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd to restructure routes

The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) has decided to restructure all the 330 bus routes in the city for better management of the public transport service.

"The bus routes were designed a long time ago when there were two different public transport entities - the Pune Municipal Transport and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Transport. There has been no restructuring of the routes since the formation of the PMPML. Hence, the move," said Prashant Jagtap, director, PMPML, while speaking to TOI.

Jagtap said the intention behind the re-organisation is to increase the frequency of buses to different parts of the city and to reduce unnecessary trips. "More than 10 years have passed since the last re-organisation. Many routes or trips were introduced just because coprorators insisted. This had led to dis-organisation in many routes, which will now be reduced," he said.

Jagtap said the restructuring exercise is also aimed at providing connecting buses to other parts of the city, not necessarily to major bus depots. The existing route plan lacks good connectivity from one destination to another. "We have planned that trips of buses going on shorter routes will be connected to buses going on longer routes. This will help commuters get connecting buses," he said.

Asked when the process of re-organisation will start and how the commuters will be informed about the changes, Jagtap said awareness about the changes will be spread onboard the buses as well as through other means. "The bus drivers and conductors will be informed about the new routes and they will communicate the changes to commuters. Pamphlets will be distributed and posters will be put up on bus stands," he said.

"The Central Institute of Road Transport is working with PMPML on this exercise. The route rationalisation plan was approved in a meeting recently. The actual work of restructuring will start soon. The implementation and awareness about the new routes will start in a month's time," he added.

Civic activists in the city have welcomed the route rationalisation plan, but said that it should be done cautiously. If the changes are done in a hurry, people will not be able to understand them. A lot of people have a set routine, which may be disturbed if changes are not done properly," said Vivek Velankar, founder of NGO Sajag Nagrik Manch.

Juagal Rathi, founder of the PMPML Pravasi Manch, said a proper study is required before changing the routes. "A number of organisations are studying route rationalization. The PMPML should study and compare the reports of these organisations before taking a final call on the changes," he said. "The PMPML should spell out the terms of reference and objectives to all organisations involved in the exercise."

A five-city survey, conducted by a city-based organisation working for sustainable transport, has revealed that the public transport service in the city fell woefully short of citizens' expectations in comparison to bus services in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore. The study was based on parameters such as quality of service, operational efficiency and finances.

TOI

[adam_india]

Comprehensive mobility plan okayed

The general body (GB) of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Friday approved the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), and has also agreed to incorporate it in the Development Plan (DP) of the city. The CMP, which deals with overall development of the public transport system in the city, was passed by the civic standing committee in June 2008 and was expected to be implemented by the end of 2008. The proposal was prepared by the Infrastructure Leasing and Finance Services.

"It is already late, but now we assure that the CMP will be incorporated in the DP of the city. This will help to take comprehensive decisions. Transport projects motioned in the CMP will be kept in kind while finalising the DP," said leader of the house Subhas Jagtap.

The CMP proposes various traffic and transportation projects costing Rs 22,700 crore. The CMP also covers ring road development, BRTS, monorail, PMPML and development of other link.

BJP corporator Vikas Mathkari said the PMC now should not take ad hoc decisions and stick to the CMP while approving the new projects.

The CMP will now become the premise for the every decision taken by the PMC when it comes to traffic and transport projects.

Highlights

* CMP seeks to "move people, not vehicles''

* Sixty per cent of the total investment is for public/mass transport systems

* In the first phase, focus should be on traffic management measures

* Augmenting BRT, public transport must in first phase

About Road Safety

Make all traffic signs retro-reflective

Have traffic markings on all roads

Ensure adequate street lighting on roads

Implement traffic management measures near railway stations and the Swargate area

Carry out junction improvements for road safety

Non-Motorised Transport

Footpaths to promote walking for short trips

They should be at least 1.5m wide

Design must discourage two-wheelers from using them

Pedestrian zebra-crossings must be clearly marked near traffic signals

Footpaths at busy intersections should have handrails

Parking Management Plan

Strategic parking plazas required

Parking plaza must discourage commercial use

It should facilitate public transport/ NMT

Parking plazas should improve traffic circulation

Consider implementing congestion charges.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/13284283.cms

[adam_india]

PMPML to get 500 more buses

पीएमपीच्या ताफ्यात येणार आणखी पाचशे बस

पुणे - पीएमपीला आणखी पाचशे बस घेण्यासाठी पुणे आणि पिंपरी-चिंचवड या दोन्ही महापालिकांनी आर्थिक मदत करावी, अशी सूचना उपमुख्यमंत्री आणि पालकमंत्री अजित पवार यांनी केली आहे. या बसखरेदीसाठी साधारण दीडशे कोटी रुपये खर्च अपेक्षित आहे.

महापालिका निवडणुकीत राष्ट्रवादी कॉंग्रेसने जाहीरनाम्यात पाचशे नवीन बस पीएमपीच्या ताफ्यात दाखल करण्याचे आश्*वासन दिले होते. निवडणुकीनंतरही पालकमंत्री पवार यांनी वर्षभरात बसखरेदी केली जाईल, असा पुनरुच्चार केला होता. शुक्रवारी पीएमपीचे संचालक प्रशांत जगताप, पुणे महापालिकेच्या स्थायी समितीचे अध्यक्ष बाबूराव चांदेरे, सभागृहनेते सुभाष जगताप, पिंपरी-चिंचवडच्या सभागृहनेत्या मंगला कदम यांनी या संदर्भात पालकमंत्री पवार यांची भेट घेतली. पुणे महापालिकेने तीनशे आणि पिंपरी-चिंचवड महापालिकेने दोनशे बस खरेदी करण्यासाठी आर्थिक मदत करावी, अशी सूचना पालकमंत्री पवार यांनी केली. त्याला दोन्ही महापालिकेच्या पदाधिकाऱ्यांनी मान्यता दिली आहे. त्यामुळे बसखरेदीची प्रक्रिया लवकर होण्याची चिन्हे दिसू लागली आहेत.

जगताप म्हणाले, ""तीनशे बस खरेदी करण्यासाठी पुणे महापालिकेकडून नव्वद कोटी रुपये, तर दोनशे बस खरेदीसाठी पिंपरी-चिंचवड महापालिकेकडून साठ कोटी रुपये घ्यावे लागतील. महापालिकांचे अंदाजपत्रक मंजूर झाले असले तरी वर्गीकरणातून हा निधी उपलब्ध होऊ शकतो. निधी उपलब्ध होण्यास कोणतीही अडचण नाही.'' शहराच्या लोकसंख्येच्या प्रमाणात पीएमपीकडे साडेतीन हजार बस आवश्*यक आहेत. पण पीएमपी आणि भाडेतत्त्वावरील बसची संख्या सोळाशेच्या आसपास आहे. जेएनयूआरएम योजनेअंतर्गत 201 बस खरेदी करण्यास संचालक मंडळाने नुकतीच मान्यता दिली आहे. या बस रस्त्यावर येण्यास आणखी काही महिन्यांचा कालावधी लागणार आहे. आणखी पाचशे बस खरेदीची प्रक्रिया वेगात झाली तर या वर्षभरात पीएमपीचा बसताफा वाढण्यास मदत होईल.

http://online2.esakal.com/esakal/201...0889268499.htm

Summary
PMPML to get 500 more buses costing 150 crores, with the Deputy CM asking and the PMC and PCMC agreeing to provide funding for the buses, with PMC funding 300 buses (90 crores) and PCMC 200 buses (60 crores).
Pune needs 3500 buses for the size of its population, but currently only has 1600 buses. 201 buses under JNNURM have also recently been approved.

[adam_india]

Learn from Delhi, no dedicated lanes in BRTS please!


not from Pune, but Delhi

Acting CJ points to interim trial report which says traffic moved freely once dedicated lanes were done away with

The 5.8-km long Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor between Ambedkar Nagar and Moolchand may not remain a stretch with dedicated lanes once Delhi High Court passes its final order.

On Wednesday, Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri said the court will not allow Delhi government to go back to the original system of having dedicated lanes divided by barriers.

“We are making one thing very clear that we will not let you (Transport department) go back to square one. We will not let you have the traffic system at the BRT as it has always been,” Justice Sikri said. He had earlier ordered a comprehensive study of the BRT to ascertain its feasibility in the current traffic scenario.

He said the interim report of the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), carrying out the court-mandated study of the BRT, clearly pointed that the traffic situation improved when dedicated lanes were done away with and vehicles were allowed to move freely.

“The interim report points out that the situation was better during the trial run. We would always want it to be better than what it is,” he said.

The court passed these significant remarks as it heard an application by B B Sharan, representing petitioner NGO Nyayabhoomi, who sought a directive to the Delhi Transport department to let CRRI continue with the lane-free traffic on the BRT till the court passed final orders.

Justice Sikri disposed of this application while giving liberty to the CRRI to do what was required for a comprehensive study.

The court said the CRRI could also revert to its traffic plan during the trial run between May 12 and May 22 when the mixed-traffic flow was allowed in the corridor.

Minutes after the order was passed, Zubeda Begum, counsel for the Transport department, sought a clarification from the court, informing the bench that there was no question of the CRRI reverting the traffic to lane-free system since the study was over and the CRRI only required to submit a final report in the matter now.

At this, Justice Sikri told the counsel that if this submission meant reverting the BRT to the original lane system, they were not going to allow it. The court will now take up the matter on July 18, awaiting the final report from the CRRI.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/wo...-govt/955924/2

[dreadathecontrols]

reading this thread begs the same question.
why cant indians plan for the future.?
why is it that only when things get to crisis point do they get addressed?
V odd

[adam_india]

Opinion piece regarding the mess that the PMPML is in, in particular the absolute pathetic conditions at the PMPML bus station near the railway station and the apathy displayed by the PMC towards the PMPML

(Sorry, it's in Marathi, too long to translate but it discusses the situation at the PMPML bus station near the railway station and how instead of creating more facilities for the passengers part of it is being converted illegally by the PMC into a night shelter)

आधी बीआरटी, आता मेट्रो... पीएमपीला कोण सावरणार ?

मेट्रो'चे स्वप्न लवकरच साकार होईल, अशी आशा सध्या पुणेकरांना दाखविली जात आहे. मेट्रो जमिनीवरून धावावी की भुयारी मार्गावरून, यावरून महापालिका निवडणुकीच्या प्रचारात हमरीतुमरीवर येऊन बाजू मांडण्यात येत होती. मुख्यमंत्री मांडत असलेली बाजू मान्य करीत भूमिगत मेट्रो खर्चिक असल्याचे स्पष्टीकरण उपमुख्यमंत्र्यांनी आता दिले आहे. पाच वर्षांपूर्वी झालेल्या निवडणुकीच्या वेळी बीआरटी योजनेवरून प्रचार रंगला होता. पुण्याच्या वाहतूक प्रश्*नाचे गांभीर्य सर्वांनाच आहे; त्यावर भविष्यात काय करणार, याची भरघोस आश्*वासनेही गल्लीपासून दिल्लीपर्यंतचे नेते देतात. सार्वजनिक वाहतूक सक्षम केली पाहिजे, हे सर्वच नेते ठामपणे सांगतात. मात्र, त्यासाठी सध्या पुण्यात एकमेव सार्वजनिक वाहतूक व्यवस्था पुरविणाऱ्या "पीएमपीएमएल'ला बळकट करण्याचे फारसे प्रयत्न केले जात नाहीत; त्यामुळे पुण्यातील सार्वजनिक वाहतूक व्यवस्था दिवसेंदिवस विकलांग होत चालली आहे.

रेल्वेस्थानकासमोरील मोलेदिना हॉल येथे बांधलेल्या वाहनतळाच्या तळमजल्यावरील जागेत "नाइट शेल्टर' उभारण्याचा वाद चर्चेत आहे. मुळात या जागेवर पीएमपी बसस्थानक, शाळा, टपाल कार्यालय होते. तेथे 15 कोटी रुपये खर्चून वाहनतळ उभारताना पीएमपीला जागा देण्यास महापालिकेचे अधिकारी अनुकूल नव्हते. शाळेचे स्थलांतर पीएमपीच्या इमारतीत केल्यानंतर वाहनतळाच्या तळमजल्यावर दोन हजार चौरस फूट आणि पहिल्या मजल्यावरील पाचशे चौरस फूट जागा पीएमपीला देण्याचे तत्कालीन आयुक्तांनी 2006 मध्ये मान्य केले; त्यानंतर तेथे वाहनतळ बांधण्यास सुरवात झाली.

तळमजल्याचे बांधकाम झाल्यावर पीएमपी प्रशासनाला तेथून बसगाड्या सुरू करण्यास सांगण्यात आले. अपुऱ्या सुविधेचे कारण सांगून पीएमपीने कार्यवाहीस नकार दिला. बसस्थानकावर पुरेशा सोयी देण्याची मागणी त्यांनी केली. तेव्हा, "तुम्हाला कोणतीही जागा अद्याप दिलेली नाही. त्यासाठी आयुक्तांची मान्यता घ्यावी लागेल. बसथांबे व अन्य कामे पीएमपीनेच करावीत. ससून आणि अन्य ठिकाणचे थांबे याच स्थानकातून सुरू करावेत; त्यामुळे तेथील वाहतूक सुरळीत होईल,' असे महापालिकेने तीन वर्षांपूर्वी कळविले.

सध्या या बसस्थानकातून पीएमपी गाड्यांच्या रोज दोन हजार फेऱ्या होतात. सव्वा लाख प्रवाशांची ये-जा सुरू आहे. ही जागा अपुरी पडत असल्याने आजूबाजूच्या रस्त्यांवरील थांब्यांवरून सुमारे शंभर गाड्या धावतात. त्यातून लाखभर प्रवाशांची वाहतूक होते. या दोन-अडीच लाख प्रवाशांसाठी ना पुरेशी बसण्याची व्यवस्था आहे, ना स्वच्छतागृहांची सोय. त्यातच पीएमपीसाठीच्या जागेत "नाइट शेल्टर' उभारण्याचा प्रस्ताव आल्यामुळे भविष्यकाळातही या प्रवाशांना सोयीपासून वंचित राहावे लागण्याची शक्*यता नाकारता येत नाही.

महापालिका प्रशासनाने स्थायी समितीपुढे प्रस्ताव मांडण्यापूर्वीच "शेल्टर'चे कामही सुरू केले. विनापरवाना सुरू केलेल्या या कामाविषयी त्यांना जाब विचारण्याचीही कोणाची तयारी नाही, ही जास्त चिंताजनक बाब आहे. परगावाहून, परराज्यातून येणाऱ्या गरिबांसाठी "नाइट शेल्टर' उभारावयाची असल्यास शहरात अन्यत्र उभारावीत. पीएमपीच्या जागेवर अतिक्रमण करण्याचा अधिकार महापालिकेला कोणी दिला? तांत्रिकदृष्ट्या ती जागा महापालिकेच्या मालकीची असेलही. पण, ती पीएमपीला देण्याचे आयुक्तांनी आणि महापालिकेच्या सभागृहाने पूर्वी मान्य केले आहे. ते परस्पर बदलण्याचा निर्णय प्रशासनाने कसा घेतला? महापालिकेतील नवनिर्वाचित नगरसेवकांना ते मान्य आहे का, की आयुक्त व गटनेते निर्णय घेतील, असे म्हणून ते शांत राहणार आहेत?

शहरासाठी काही वर्षे रखडलेला सर्वंकष वाहतूक आराखडा या नगरसेवकांनी काहीही चर्चा न करता एकमताने गेल्याच महिन्यात मान्य केला. त्याची अंमलबजावणी कोण करणार? "बीआरटी'साठी केंद्र सरकारने सातशे कोटी रुपये दिले. गेल्या पाच वर्षांत त्याचा वापर करून शहरातील अनेक रस्त्यांची कामे करण्यात आली. बीआरटी बससाठी मार्ग देण्यास मात्र विरोध होतो आहे. रस्ता रुंदीकरण आणि बीआरटीचे कार्यालय, यामुळे स्वारगेटच्या जेधे चौकात रस्त्यावरच पीएमपी गाड्या थांबतात. त्यांच्या रोज सहा हजार फेऱ्या तेथून होतात. स्वारगेट, रेल्वेस्थानक परिसरातील वाहतुकीच्या कोंडीची समस्या महापालिकेच्या धोरणांमुळे अधिक गंभीर झाली आहे; कारण शहरातील शनिपार, नागनाथपार, भिकारदास मारुती मंदिर, पूरम चौक येथील बसथांब्यांवरील बहुतेक वाहतूक स्वारगेट बसस्थानकावर स्थलांतरित झाली आहे. तीच स्थिती रेल्वेस्थानक परिसराची आहे. तेथेही जिल्हाधिकारी कार्यालयाजवळ रोज शेकडो प्रवासी बसच्या प्रतीक्षेत उभे असल्याचे जाणवते.

शहरातील सार्वजनिक वाहतुकीची जबाबदारी महापालिकेचीच आहे. मात्र, पूर्वीपासूनच नगरसेवकांनी पीएमपीला गाड्या खरेदीसाठी, अन्य कामासाठी निधी देताना दुजाभाव दाखविल्याचे दिसते; त्यामुळे पीएमपी डबघाईला आली. पीएमपीसाठी दर वर्षी नवीन पाचशे गाड्या खरेदी करण्याचे आश्*वासन सत्ताधारी पक्षांनी दिले आहे. आताच पीएमपीच्या गाड्या रात्री शहराच्या विविध भागांत रस्त्यांवर उभ्या असतात. नवीन गाड्या कोणत्या रस्त्यांवर उभ्या कराव्यात, त्याचेही मार्गदर्शन महापालिकेने केले पाहिजे.

त्यामुळे पीएमपीसाठी जागा महत्त्वाची आहे. मेट्रो प्रकल्पाच्या पहिल्या टप्प्यासाठी पुणे महापालिकेने अडीचशे कोटी देण्याचे मान्य केले आहे. तो प्रकल्प सुरू होण्यास आणखी आठ-दहा वर्षे लागतील. बीआरटीचे पुढचे टप्पे कसे करणार, हे येत्या दोन-तीन वर्षांत दिसेलच. मात्र, पुण्याला भेडसावणाऱ्या वाहतूक समस्येतून काही प्रमाणात सुटका करण्याचे काम पीएमपी प्रशासन करीत आहे. ती सार्वजनिक वाहतूक व्यवस्था बळकट करण्यासाठी नवनिर्वाचित नगरसेवकांनी पक्षभेद विसरून प्रयत्न केले पाहिजेत.

मोलेदिना हॉल येथील जागा "नाइट शेल्टर'ऐवजी पीएमपीला देताना, त्या जागेचा वापर अधिकारी व कर्मचारी यांच्या केबिन बांधण्याऐवजी प्रवाशांच्या सोयीसाठी करावा, अशा स्वरूपाच्या अटीही घातल्या पाहिजेत. सध्या पीएमपी ही एकच सार्वजनिक वाहतूक व्यवस्था पुण्यात कार्यरत असल्याने ती बळकट करण्याकडे महापालिका प्रशासन व नगरसेवकांनी लक्ष दिले पाहिजे; अन्यथा पुणेकरांच्या अडचणीत भरच राहील.

http://www.esakal.com/esakal/2012061...6458288642.htm

[Cosmicbliss]

Originally Posted by adam_india

Opinion piece regarding the mess that the PMPML is in, in particular the absolute pathetic conditions at the PMPML bus station near the railway station and the apathy displayed by the PMC towards the PMPML

(Sorry, it's in Marathi, too long to translate but it discusses the situation at the PMPML bus station near the railway station and how instead of creating more facilities for the passengers part of it is being converted illegally by the PMC into a night shelter)


http://www.esakal.com/esakal/2012061...6458288642.htm

Puneites are being told that the dream of a metro coming up in the city will soon materialise. There was heated debate over whether Metro should take the underground route or be elevated in the recent municipal body polls. The Deputy Chief Minister has made it clear that the underground route will be too expensive. Five years ago, there was much debate about the BRTS project. Every politician makes it a point to speak of strengthening the public transport system in the city. However, with very little being done to improve the PMPML's functioning, the ground reality is that the public transport system in Pune is getting worse and worse with every passing .

I shall post the other translated parts soon. Pressed for time a bit now.

[adam_india]

PMPML to build 1,000 bus shelters

The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has announced that it would soon be building 1,000 bus shelters in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis for which a survey is being conducted.
It may be noted that the PMPML and the two municipal corporations have failed to build bus shelters at stops despite a number of earlier announcements. Bus commuters are forced to stand in the open braving the heat and rains since there are many roads in the city and the neighbouring township that do not have bus shelters.
Ajay Mane, a resident of Pimpri, said, “Even years after its formation, the PMPML has failed to provide shelters at all bus stops.”
Smita Kadam, a resident of Chinchwad, said, “Women, senior citizens and children are the main sufferers due to the lack of shelters at the stops.”
Ramakant Bhokare, chief of the PMPMPL advertising department, said, “The transport body is conducting a survey in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad to find the exact number of stops on the various routes that do not have bus shelters. The survey is expected to be completed in a week. We will appoint an agency to prepare the tender documents for awarding the contract of constructing the bus shelters. The transport body wants to complete the project on BOT basis.”
Kailash Raut, a resident of Akurdi, said, “Bus shelters should be big enough and seat at least 10 to 20 passengers. The new bus shelters have good chairs but only four to six people can be accommodated.”
Commuters often complain that there is no common design for bus shelters in both the cities and that over the years, the shelters have shrunk in size and are insufficient for the growing number of passengers.
In response, Bhokare said, “We plan to have a common design for the bus shelters in both the cities. The bus shelters will have a single long bench with a seating capacity of 20 people. We cannot have two long benches as most of the bus shelters are located on footpaths, which need to be kept free for the movement of pedestrians.”
Jugal Rathi, president, PMP Pravasi Manch, said, “The manch has been fighting for the rights of bus passengers since 2007. There are 5,000 bus stops in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. But only 1,200 stops have bus shelters. There are a minimum of 1,000 bus stops in both these cities used by a large number of commuters through the day where there is urgent need of shelters.”

TOI

[anujkb]

the thread can be named-

Pune Public Transport (if it exists) :P

Pune Public transport is a huge joke and apart from the vote banks of rickshaw unions- there is only rickshaw which is the public transport. :P everything else is nothing but something to laugh at

[NitinPatel]

Transport department announces diversion of buses

The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited has announced diversion of buses on the Jangli Maharaj road in the city as the construction of the subway at S G Barve chowk (modern cafe chowk) would begin soon.

The Pune Municipal Corporation will soon be starting the construction work of the subway. The civic body has earlier completed the work of another subway at the Sancheti chowk.

For ensuring smooth vehicular traffic during construction of the subway at S G Barve chowk, the traffic branch has started the implementation of rotary traffic at the junction. Movement of vehicles from Barve chowk towards the historic Shaniwarwada has now been banned. As many PMPML buses earlier used to go by this road, the PMPML management has decided to divert these buses on to the Jangli Maharaj road. The buses will go via Balgandharva chowk, PMC Bhavan, Mangala talkies and proceed towards Shaniwarwada. PMPML officials said that bus commuters will not face any major problems due to this diversion.

Traffic branch officials said that while the construction work is yet to begin, the rotary traffic at S G Barve chowk is being implemented on a trial basis. Traffic officials said that many vehicle users were not aware about the traffic changes on the first day. As a result, there was traffic congestion at some places. Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Vishwas Pandhre has appealed citizens to cooperate with the police in the implementation of the traffic changes.

[NitinPatel]

Commuters' group demands bus shelters in Pune

City bus commuters groups have urged the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations as well as the PMPML to immediately take up the work of bus shelters at all bus-stops.

Jugal Rathi and Vivek Velankar of the PMP Pravasi Sangh said that bus commuters are facing severe hardships due to absence of proper bus shelters at many places. The hardships of the commuters will worsen in the rainy season, Rathi said.

The Pravasi Sangh which is an umbrella group of various bus commuters groups has been very vocal about all problems related to public transport. The sangh has charged that there is total lack of co-ordination between the municipal corporation and PMPML regarding construction of bus shelters. The advertisement department of PMPML makes plans for construction of bus shelters. However, they are never implemented, the sangh said.

Several bus sheds have been removed or damaged. However, PMPML has not undertaken any inquiry about these incidents'', Rathi said. Commuters are already facing severe hardships due to inefficient bus services as well as rotary traffic plans for construction of subways and road widening works. Urgent action is needed by PMPML for construction of bus shelters, he added.

PMPML officials have said that there is a plan for construction of 1000 bus shelters in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. A survey would be undertaken for this, they said.