PMPML hikes bus fares, long-distance travellers will be hardest hit

PUNE: The increase in prices of diesel and CNG, coupled with the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited’s (PMPML) monthly losses of around Rs 16 crore, is set to cost the bus commuter.
The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) on Thursday approved the fare hike proposal by the cash-strapped transport company. The hike will range from Rs 5 to Rs 30 depending on the distance.There will be no hike for the first six kilometer. The revised fare structure will come into force from December 20.
The PMPML had also proposed a hike in daily and monthly passes, which the transport authority rejected. The previous hike was approved in March 2013 on similar grounds, while fares were rationalized in August 2013.
As per the revised structure, a travel of 8km would cost a commuter Rs 15 instead of Rs 10, while a distance of 28km will cost Rs 35 instead of Rs 25. Long-distance commuters will be the hardest-hit. Those travelling 56km will have to shell out Rs 60 instead of Rs 30.
“Various aspects were taken into consideration while approving revision of fares. Since the last hike, diesel price went up by Rs 2.26 per litre and CNG by Rs 7.75 per kilogram. Besides, the transport body in its proposal has said that it is suffering monthly operational losses of Rs 16 crore following the hike in fuel price,” RTA chairman Saurabh Rao said.
“The transport authority also considered suggestions given by commuter groups. Most groups had rejected fare hike and instead had suggested that the transport body curb losses, increase non-ticket revenue and improve services,” he added.
The transport authority had sent back the PMPML’s earlier proposal citing various loopholes. The RTA had asked PMPML to work on details to restrict losses and increase earnings without revising fares. It had also sought a long-term plan to improve services.
Rao said that the government in 2005 set up a bracket for fare hikes. The RTA has approved revision of fares within the stipulated maximum limit suggested by the government. The PMPML officials have said that earnings would go up by Rs 108 crore following a revision in fares, Rao said.
In a proposal submitted to the transport authority, PMPML claims that 700 of its buses are off the roads at present. About Rs 132 crore is due from the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations, while PMPML is expected to pay Rs 190 crore to the government against cess. Of the total 2,111 buses, 1,012 buses run on diesel and 1,099 on CNG. The transport body plans to purchase around 1,000 new buses.
The transport body was expecting an additional annual revenue of Rs 18 crore had the RTA approved a revision of fares of passes.
Times View
While approving the PMPML bus fare hike, the RTA has also spelt out a 15-point agenda for the transport body to improve its services. Though the RTA's recommendations are not mandatory, the PMPML management must usher greater transparency in its functioning and provide better service to its ten lakh daily commuters. More than 750 buses are presently off the roads due to breakdowns, while much of the fleet has aged. The commuter to bus ratio has dropped and the number of pass holders too has drastically reduced as compared to last year. Improving the condition of the bus fleet and the frequency should be the transport undertaking's top priority now.