Pune PMPML Collects Rs 1.25 Crore In Fines From Ticketless Passengers Over A Year
Pune, 6th December 2024: The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has collected a staggering ₹1.25 crore in fines over the past year from passengers caught traveling without tickets. Despite bus fares ranging from ₹5-₹10 for short distances to ₹40-₹60 for long routes, the number of fare evaders continues to rise, with many exploiting crowded buses to avoid detection.
Passengers caught without a valid ticket are fined ₹500. On average, PMPML’s ticket inspectors catch 60-70 violators daily. With 11 to 12 lakh commuters relying on PMPML services across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) areas, the transport body earns an average daily revenue of ₹1.5 to ₹2 crore. However, the growing issue of ticketless travel, particularly among college students, has become a concern.
To combat this, PMPML has deployed a dedicated team of 350 ticket inspectors. These teams operate unannounced across 379 routes, using private vehicles to conduct surprise checks. Each month, they catch 1,500 to 2,000 violators.
With fewer buses on the roads in recent months, overcrowding has surged, making it easier for fare evaders to blend in. PMPML officials have appealed to passengers to refrain from traveling without tickets, emphasizing that the fine far outweighs the cost of a ticket.
