Pune NGO to begin App Kara Bus Kara campaign to ease bus travel of commuters 

Under the #AppKaraBusKara campaign, Pune-based NGO Parisar will install interactive screens at five bus depots in the city. Commuters will be able to see on these screens how the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) app will make traveling easier.

Speaking to Pune Pulse, Tanzeel Allapur, Project Associate, Parisar, said “The PMPML has promised a bus app for a very long time now. But it hasn’t happened so far. Even last year, when we engaged with the PMPML, they mentioned that the app will get launched soon. It hasn’t happened.”

Regarding the campaign, Tanzeel Allapur said “We are not going to launch an entire app but we are planning to install screens at some Pune bus depots on which there will be a few destinations shown. People can click whichever destination they want to go & the results will show the buses they can take, how much time will it take, fares etc. When they have this experience, people will realize that we need to really step up the demand for bus app. After that, people can sign a demand card which will be addressed & submitted to the PMPML.”

Tanzeel Allapur further said “As we know, in 2018 itself, the number of private vehicles in Pune exceeded the number of human population of the city. This is a very stark reality that we are dealing with, especially in terms of climate medication & increasing congestion and pollution. So, the only way out is to make the public transportation robust.”

Tanzeel Allapur continued “There is a lot of information gap when it comes to bus transportation, especially in Pune. So, not only we want the bus app to be launched but also way-finding signanges in the city. So, even if a common person doesn’t have the app, they can navigate through the bus system without any issue. They would know which bus to take, where to go to catch that bus etc. This basic information should be made available.”

Tanzeel Allapur shares that the prototype screens will be installed at PMC, Swargate, Deccan, Kondhwa, Kothrud & Bibwewadi bus depots. The on-ground installation of these screens will start somewhere in March. The exact date will be announced soon.

The Parisar NGO is expecting a huge response from Pune citizens for the campaign.

Shreyas Vange