Pune Civic Body Demands Bus Fare Hike As PMPML’S Losses Mount
Pune Civic Body Demands Bus Fare Hike As PMPML'S Losses Mount
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is urging the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) to increase bus fares to mitigate the financial burden of rising losses. The PMPML has been facing significant losses, with the PMC set to bear 60% of the financial burden.
According to Prithviraj B P, additional commissioner, “The losses of the PMPML have increased, and the PMC will have to bear 60% of the financial burden. Therefore, we will have to decide on the bus fare hike.” The issue is set to be discussed in the upcoming PMPML board meeting.
The last bus fare hike of 20% was proposed in 2012, and since then, there have been no significant changes to the fare structure. In 2022, the PMPML planned to raise regular bus fares by 20% and electric bus fares by 40%, but the proposal was not implemented.
PMPML officials have emphasized the need for a fare hike, citing the increasing losses incurred by the transport body. “Presently, the bus fare for both regular and electric AC buses is the same. There should be at least a ₹5 difference between regular and AC bus fares,” said a PMPML official.
The PMPML operates a fleet of 2,100 buses, serving around 13 lakh passengers daily. However, the number of buses is still insufficient to meet daily travel needs. The expenses of the PMPML include employee salaries, pensions, CNG gas, bus rental contracts, and other costs, amounting to over ₹1,400 crore annually.
The PMPML generates only ₹700 to 725 crore, resulting in a significant deficit. Both the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipalities have agreed to bear the losses, with the PMC set to bear 60% of the losses and the PCMC bearing 40%.
