More than 50 pc PMPML buses off road; losses up

PUNE: Despite increasing new buses in the fleet of Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal (PMPML), there were around 50 per cent of buses offroad in 2018-19. The information has been revealed in the audit report of 2018-19 of PMPML. 

PMC Audit department has tabled a report in the Standing Committee on Thursday. The audit report has also revealed Rs 349.36 crore of losses in 2018-19 which increased by Rs 43 crore as compared to 2017-18. PMPML’s losses are increasing gradually. The sale of ticket was reduced by Rs 40.24 crore as compared to 2017-18. 

According to the audit report, there were a total of 2,058 buses (including contractors’ buses) in the fleet in 2018-19. Out of that, only 1,373 buses were on the roads and remaining 685 buses were off the road. It was increased from 602 (2017-18) to 685 buses in 2018-19.

According to Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), it should be 15.60 per cent. However, it was 33.29 %.

In on-road buses, more than 7-year-old buses were 624 in 2018-19 and the number was 869 in 2017-18. The number decreased in 2018-19 as compared to 2017-18. 

PMPML spent 29.77 crore on dead kilometres (this occurs when a bus route starts or finishes in a location away from a bus depot). It was Rs 9.86 crore more as compared to 2017-18 financial year.

In the audit report, Chief Auditor of PMC Ambrish Galinde mentioned recommendation to minimise losses and increase revenue of PMPML. He has recommended scrapping of old buses, make policy for renting out commercial spaces of PMPML properties for advertisements and minimise dead kilometres. 

He also suggested deputing more ticket checkers to prevent losses in ticket collection, to increase buses on different routes and revise routes and to bring down maintenance and other expenditure.