Hey there Punekars! Here’s some news about our beloved PMPML that you might want to know about. The transport body’s deficit for the year 2023-24 has shot up to a whopping Rs 496.44 crore compared to 2016-17. Why, you ask? Well, the increase in fuel and spare parts’ rates, as well as the salary hike for employees, have all contributed to this financial burden.
With both Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic bodies feeling the strain, it looks like a fare hike might be on the horizon. After all, PMPML provides services through 1,700 buses to rural areas around the two cities and a whopping 12 lakh passengers rely on these city buses daily.
On the bright side, the public transport body did manage to earn Rs 669 crore in revenue through passenger transport and other services, which was a Rs 60 crore increase from the previous year. However, with total expenditure for 2023-24 amounting to Rs 1,467 crore (a hefty Rs 153 crore more than 2022-23), the deficit has ballooned to Rs 700 crore.
To help ease the burden, the PMC and the PCMC provide subsidies to the transport body in the ratio of 60:40. But with the deficit growing, it seems like a fare hike might be inevitable for us citizens in the district. Brace yourselves for potentially shelling out more for your daily commute.
Speaking of fares, PMPML currently charges Rs 5 for the first 1.5 km and Rs 10 up to 3 km. The proposed hike could see these fares increase by Rs 5-7. Ouch!
And let’s not forget about the skyrocketing fuel prices. Since 2016, the rates for petrol, diesel, and CNG have almost doubled, putting further pressure on PMPML’s finances. The last time bus fares were hiked was way back in 2016, while fuel, spare parts, and salaries have all seen significant increases since then, adding to the losses of the transport body.
Fun fact: The implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations for PMPML’s over 9,000 employees in 2021 alone cost an additional Rs 153 crore. Phew!
So, there you have it, folks. The ups and downs of PMPML’s financial situation in a nutshell. Let’s hope for some positive changes in the future to keep our beloved city moving smoothly! Stay tuned for more updates.
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