A senior PMPML official attributed the rise to poor road conditions in Pune, stating that the combination of heavy rainfall and existing potholes exacerbated the situation, leading to increased breakdowns and traffic jams. “This time, sudden and heavy rain caused chaos for several days,” the official remarked.

E-buses faced the most challenges this year, primarily due to charging issues linked to traffic and road conditions. Another official emphasised that while PMPML operates the buses, road maintenance falls under the jurisdiction of other departments and agencies.

Commuters expressed frustration over the ongoing issues. Shekhar Dixit, a frequent rider, criticized PMPML for providing the same explanations annually and questioned why other cities manage better. “Do officials mean to say that monsoons don’t affect other places in the country? Everyone is passing the buck; what kind of service is PMPML running?”

Akshay Denge, another regular commuter, pointed out that road construction continued during the monsoon despite directives from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). He noted, “While PMPML is to blame for maintenance issues, the PMC shares responsibility.”

The recent inauguration of the Pune Metro section between Civil Court and Swargate has led residents to demand expedited completion of additional lines. College student Kalyani Ghate expressed her discontent with PMPML’s service, stating, “I can’t take PMPML buses anymore. The journey has become agonizing, and with no one concerned, officials have just let it be. With assembly elections approaching, political parties will promise better public transport and roads, but they will forget everything once the elections are over.”

On a positive note, PMPML's mobile app, launched on August 15, has seen significant engagement. Public Relations Officer Satish Gate reported that 23.7 lakh people have used the app, leading to the issuance of approximately 12.2 lakh tickets. He added, “We’re receiving good feedback, and we plan to introduce updates and new features soon.”

(ET)