Will PMPML’s new 15-point plan finally keep Pune’s buses on the road? – puneripages.in"
By Prashant for PuneriPages.in
If you’ve lived in Pune long enough, you’ve probably been here before: you’re crammed into a PMPML bus, clutching your bag, calculating whether you’ll still make it to work on time—when the engine coughs, sighs, and dies. The driver steps out. Passengers groan. Another bus breakdown. And now, PMPML says it has a magic bullet: a shiny new 15-point checklist that will supposedly put an end to this daily drama. But can a list really save us?
Table of Contents
What is PMPML’s new checklist to prevent breakdowns?
On paper, it sounds solid. PMPML will now run every bus through a 15-point inspection before it leaves the depot. The Times of India reports that the aim is to catch problems early and stop buses from conking out mid-route.
What the 15-Point Checklist Actually Covers:
- Critical Checks: Brakes, steering, tire pressure
- Engine Vitals: Coolant levels, engine oil, fan belts
- Passenger Systems: Door mechanisms, emergency exits
- Basic Electrics: Headlights, indicators, wipers
It’s like a pre-flight check for buses. In theory, this means fewer last-minute breakdowns, fewer frantic calls to your boss, and fewer stranded crowds baking in the sun.
Why do PMPML buses break down so often?
If you ask regular commuters (and honestly, you don’t even need to—they’ll tell you), the checklist is just the tip of the iceberg. Here’s what’s been going wrong for years:
- Aging Fleet: Some buses are old enough to have been your school ride.
- Poor Maintenance Culture: Checks are often a tick-box exercise rather than real inspections.
- Lack of Spare Parts: Depots sometimes wait weeks for basic components.
- Overburdened System: Buses run marathon routes with hardly any rest.
Without tackling these, a checklist might just be… well, another checklist.
How can I complain about a PMPML bus breakdown?
If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere because of a PMPML breakdown, here’s what you can do:
- PMPML Helpline: Call the official number (check PMPML website for the latest one)
- Social Media: Tag or DM @PMPMLPune on X (Twitter) with route, bus number, and time
- Depot Contact: Most depots have a control room—note down details and call in
Every complaint matters. The more we report, the harder it is for breakdowns to be ignored.
The accountability question
This is where the rubber meets the road (or doesn’t, if the bus is broken). Will there be money to fix the problems spotted in these checks? Who makes sure the checks are actually done, and not just signed off in a hurry? How many buses are simply too old to be worth fixing?
A PMPML official told TOI the checklist will “drastically reduce breakdowns.” Sounds nice—but we’ve heard nice before.
The independent view
Transport activists like those at PMP Pravasi Manch are cautiously optimistic. One told me, “A checklist is only as good as the will to enforce it. We’ve had promises before. We’re still waiting for the change.”
The road ahead
This plan could finally give Pune a bus network we can rely on—or it could be another promise we forget by next year. For now, all we can do is stay sharp, speak up when things go wrong, and make sure PMPML knows we’re watching.
Because in the end, the real test isn’t what’s printed on a checklist. It’s whether your bus actually gets you where you need to go.
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