The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mandal Limited (PMPML) has scored a ‘C’ on its performance report card, according to a survey carried out by a city non-governmental organisation (NGO), Parisar.
If people are expected to use PMPML buses, the service must be reliable, comfortable, convenient and affordable. The report card tells exactly how PMPML scores on each of these service parameters.
The scores are based on data from the PMPML, such as the monthly statistical reports and other data including Parisar’s observations at 40 bus stops and depots.
On reliability, the PMPML scores low as buses do not leave on time. The buses run 22% less than the total number of kms scheduled.
The passengers are not satisfied that the service is comfortable. The experience of travelling on a PMPML bus, right from waiting at the bus stop to ease of boarding and the condition of the buses leads to an unsatisfactory score. The bus stop design and cleanliness score low.
It was found that on an average 2.4% of the buses break down daily.
On the convenience front, the PMPML scores the lowest among all parameters and has been given a C grade. The bus network is quite good, but lack of buses means people have to wait too long. The score is low on ensuring reserved seats as the policy on paper does not translate well in reality. Customer services are not well marketed, though it is well maintained in terms of record keeping and follow up.
Users rate affordability of PMPML as being okay and hence it gets a ‘B’ grade. This may be because other means of transport, like autorickshaws, two-wheelers and even six-seaters are expensive in Pune. However, it should be kept in mind that the bus service in other cities is cheaper and in some cases even better.
The number of buses available per lakh population has decreased and is short of target by 55 vehicles. The percentage of buses off the road has reduced nominally, but is still very high.
Though the number of passengers has increased by 1%, it lags behind the target of 3% annual increase set by comprehensive mobility plan.
