Pune’s commuters are grappling with an added layer of inconvenience as the breakdown of Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) buses continues to plague the city. Despite reassurances from authorities, the frequency of bus breakdowns has raised concerns among citizens, with a total of 2,494 buses operated by PMPML and 3,566 leased buses breaking down in the last four months.
The alarming breakdown statistics, averaging 49 daily, have prompted citizens and activists to voice their discontent. Vivek Velankar, President of Sajag Nagrik Manch, stressed the need for thorough inspections before buses are deployed and immediate action in case of breakdowns. He also pointed out the poor condition of the buses, citing cleanliness issues that deter passengers from choosing PMPML buses.
Commuters, such as Sanjay Shitole, highlighted the specific challenges faced by senior citizens, emphasizing the difficulty in transferring between buses. Social activist Jugal Rathi attributed the increasing breakdowns to the absence of a maintenance system, while Harshad Abhyankar, director of Save Pune Traffic movement, pointed to the impact of frequent transfers of Chief Managing Directors on the neglect of the issue.
In response to the growing concerns, Sanjay Kolte, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the PMPML, stated, “We are trying to minimize the breakdowns.” He outlined measures being taken, including instructions to the chief mechanical engineer for minimum breakdowns, the appointment of officers depot-wise for fault monitoring, and plans to remove old buses while introducing 500 new CNG buses within the next four months to improve travel conditions for passengers.
Breakdown data:
| Month | PMPML Buses | Leased Buses | Total |
| January | 574 | 789 | 1363 |
| December | 645 | 785 | 1430 |
| November | 587 | 778 | 1365 |
| October | 688 | 1205 | 1893 |
| Total | 2,494 | 3,566 | 6,060 |
| Daily Average | 20.34 | 29.02 | 49.26 |
