PMPML is the public bus transport of Pune. I have been traveling by PMPML for almost 4 years now. So, thought of writing about it. I am postulating some points that I have experienced while travelling all these years.
1. First of all, its PMPML and not PMT.
2. Never wait for an empty bus. There is none. Here, by “empty” I mean a bus where you can find atleast one vacant seat to sit.
3. Never carry your bag containing laptop or CLRS on your shoulders when you are standing in bus or be ready for the misgivings from working class ladies and retired old men.
4. You can never read a book when you are sitting beside a girl. (Well, this depends on the girl)
5. Random incident :
A man talking on his cellphone in a bus going to Nigdi.
Man : अरे बाबा नाही जमणार मला निगडीला यायला ………….मी शिरवाडला अजून ……….. अरे हो कळतय मला पण मी काय करू आत्ता?………
The conductor shouts from behind : चला चिंचवड वाले उतरून घ्या…………
6. You cannot close a window if it is open and you cannot open it if it is closed. I guess the coefficient of friction tends to infinity there. A Typical Windows behaviour.
7. There are good conductors and bad conductors in PMPML. Some conductors are modest and act in a very civilised way. But some are uncivilised and arrogant, they directly abuse you if you don’t have a change or other such minute things.I vividly remember an incident when a conductor started beating an old man after an argument over money.
8. But, there only bad drivers. They listen to radio, talk on mobile while driving. They jump the lights. Many passengers aptly say, “बस चालवतोय का विमान चालवतोय ? “.
9. You get to read newspapers like Pudhari and Police times in PMPML. And if you dont know these are most ridiculous newspapers in in the city.
10. Random incident :
Conductor : बोला तिकीट …………. (a typical way of asking for tickets and never answer “ticket”)
Student : पास (a typical way of telling conductor that you have pass)
Conductor : किती विषयात?
11. Its always fun travelling with your friends. I miss my junior college days.
12. This is the PMPML website. Its condition is as bad as PMPML itself.
P.S. I Love You Although many problems prevail, but as time is changing, PMPML is changing. The condition of buses is changing, new, better buses are used. Frequency of the buses is increasing. Hope, this improvement continues……..
Hi Prashant
Your observations about PMPML and its staff are great and I can totally relate to some of the experiences you had.
I have been working as volunteer to help PMPML improve quality of its services. For last one year I have been working on project to make PMPML schedule and other useful information widely available to citizens. Project home page is :
http://code.google.com/p/ptransit/
Since official PMPML website does not have timetable information, I am publishing unofficial version :
http://ptransit.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/rgen/html/en-index.html
I hope it is useful to citizens and passengers.
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Although there is some progress, the pace is very slow. As you said most people working at PMPML are honest and hard working, but management is weak and lacks expertize to use technology and other management techniques to improve services to its customers and also increase employee satisfaction. It is matter of concern that they totally fail to attract talented people.
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I often use PMPML service, following are some of my observations.
1. Cockbit : Cause of driver stress ?
You mentioned that drivers are bad, but just like conductors there are some good and some bad drivers. Also notice the “cockpit” of the driver. On many buses you will find broken gear shifting handle and noisy engine. No wonder driver are stressed out.
2. Change : Change your attitude.
Always carry change and obtain from co-passengers. In theory it is conductor’s duty to give you the change, but it is always not possible for him, so be considerate.
3. Care : They are your fellow citizens
Many times passengers stand at the back side and in the middle of the bus, even when there is space in the front. They do not realise/care about passengers getting on board from back door. If they do not move to front door, it is difficult for more passengers to get in.
4. Use common sense
Many people try to get into a bus even when it is crowded. This is dangerous for everyone. Have patience, start your journey early and if there is too much crowd, travel by auto.
Remember that even if PMPML provides more number of buses there will always be crowd in rush hours, because Pune is growing city and we have accept and deal with it calmly.
5. Earn money by making buses dirty
Those ads about “Earn money working at MNC” posted on walls inside bus are illegal and make bus dirty. Severe action should be taken against those people.
This also applies to people who damage PMPML buses. They do not know that they co-own PMPML buses. They are crazy if they damage things that they co-own.
By: vijay on January 26, 2010
at 5:25 AM