While the PMPML is planning to increase fares,various voluntary organisations in city have opposed the move saying the fare hike was actually unnecessary with its already increased income. They have pointed out that the civic transport body should first collect its dues. These organisations have also organised a protest rally on Friday,when the increase in fare is likely to be announced. The rally will be held at the PMPML headquarters at Swargate at 2.30 pm. Citing reasons like the recent petroleum price hike including the CNG,the PMPML authorities said that they were left with no other option but to hike the fares . However, activists are saying that there is absolutely no need to increase the fares,as the recent autorickshaw fare hike has already made more and more people go for PMPML,which has ultimately increased its income by about Rs 15 lakh on a daily basis. A few days back,the Chairman and Managing Director of the PMPML,Dilip Band had made it clear that due to the fuel price hike,the bus fare hike was unavoidable. In the meeting of board of directors that is to take place on July 23,the PMPML is likely to table the proposal of fare hike,which is likely to be passed during the meeting. However,for that to come into reality,the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has to give its nod to the proposal. Right now,the basic fare amount of the PMPML is Rs three for the first two kilometres. Now,the PMPML administration is eyeing to double this. It would be unfair to increase the bus fares now. Actually,there is no need to do so,as its revenue has already increased. The RTA increased the autorickshaw fares in the first week of July and ever since the PMPML revenue increased by about Rs 15 lakh on a daily basis,as those,who cannot afford to travel by rickshaw,have made a shift to the PMPML,even though the bus service is not up to the mark. While the earlier daily earning was in the range of Rs 75 lakh to Rs 80 lakh daily,it has gone up to Rs 90 lakh daily,Vivek Velankar of PMP Pravasi Manch said. This proposed fare hike will make a bad impact on the common man,who is already reeling under the ill-effects of inflation on all the fronts, he added. A number of organisations including the Nagrik Chetana Manch,Pune Shahar Molkarin Sanghatana,have warned of agitation,if the transport utility goes ahead with the fare hike proposal .
