04 May,2009 09:28 AM IST | | Kaumudi Gurjar
Increased passenger load on public buses meant that the PMPML earned a lot of revenue
Thanks to an indefinite strike by autorickshaw operators in the city and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) buses earned Rs 77 lakh in revenue on May 1, the first day of the strike and Rs 89 lakh on May 2. The autorickshaw owners are protesting the state government's orders to lower tariffs, after the drop in oil prices similar to the one in 2006.u00a0
"The average income ofu00a0 PMPML is between Rs 60 lakh and Rs 64 lakh," said D Au00a0 Pardeshi, public relation officer, PMPML. He added, "To cater to the increased passengers, we have pressed over 80 extra buses on various routes, including the most crowded Swargate-Hadapsar, Katraj-Shivajinagar, Swargate- Pune station and PMC-Kothrud routes." The PMPML has also launched a helpline number 2440417 for commuters to register their complaints.
"Our drivers and conductors have voluntarily given up tea breaks in the last two days, so that they can serve the citizens. Not a single complaint has been registered on the helpline number. It shows that the commuters are happy with the service offered by us," said Pardeshi.
Said Neeta Pawar, a housewife who prefers to take theu00a0 autorickshaws when she travel long distance, "I had to take the PMPML bus to attend a function in Hadapsar since there was no other alternative."
