Pune: PMPML Buses Face Digital Board Malfunctions, Passengers Struggle With Unhygienic Conditions
Pune, 6th December 2024: Despite repeated inspections and instructions to repair malfunctioning digital boards on Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) buses, most boards remain non-functional. This issue continues to cause inconvenience for passengers, who are left guessing routes as the buses pass by. Adding to their woes, several buses also feature broken first-aid boxes, non-functional alert buttons, and unhygienic seating conditions.
PMPML operates 1,700 buses across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) areas. However, many buses fail to display route numbers or names clearly on their digital boards. Passengers frequently complain about the confusion and delays caused by this issue. When boards fail to display routes, buses often leave stops without passengers boarding, forcing them to wait for the next bus.
In June, PMPML announced plans to inspect and replace damaged digital boards on 400 self-owned buses following numerous complaints. However, the current state of buses indicates limited progress. Notably, digital boards on leased buses also remain non-functional, leaving passengers struggling for accurate route information.
Passengers have expressed frustration, with some reporting that alternative boards placed on buses are either illegible or not visible from a distance. For instance, commuters using the Market Yard bus on Karve Road noted that its digital board was non-operational, and the first-aid box was left open. Senior citizens have urged PMPML to ensure that at least temporary route boards are placed in clearly visible locations until the digital boards are repaired.
