Yellow boxes are back on roads for PMPML drivers

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Joy Sengupta| TNN | Apr 22, 2018, 23:59 IST

Pune: The Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) set up by Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) is up for scrutiny. The transport body has revived the practice of painting yellow boxes along bus stops and coordinating with the traffic police to ensure that drivers park the buses within the box area.
Former PMPML chairman and managing director Tukaram Mundhe had ensured that the ITMS was strictly implemented and monitored.

Officials now feel that some aspects of the system need to change so that drivers do not feel the heat even if they stop a few meters ahead or behind the bus stop.

“We are not saying that the ITMS system is bad. In fact the state of the art system has enabled PMPML to better the bus schedules and ensure drivers are more disciplined. However, some aspects need to change. While the overhaul will take time, the process has begun. We want to ensure seamless bus service and some changes have to happen,” said a senior PMPML official.

The ITMS enables PMPML authorities to track every bus live from the main control centre using the GPS device installed on vehicles. With a giant screen showing the real time positioning of all buses on the road, officials can easily observe which vehicle is stopping at the bus stop or which bus driver has chosen to skip the stop and move ahead. It has been made mandatory for bus drivers to halt at every stop even if there is no passenger for at least 6 to 10 seconds.

“Private contractors have claimed that they have faced many issues and have had to pay heavy fines due to the ITMS. Last year, we had started painting yellow boxes in front of bus stops to help the drivers. However the same was not properly followed up. The practice has been restarted and yellow boxes are being painted on non-bus rapid transit system routes. The work has started from Yerawada. We will get in touch with the traffic police to ensure that the yellow boxes are empty at all times and commuters aren’t seen standing in them,” another official stated.

While PMPML officials are justifying the move, daily commuters sounded amused. “Why is the PMPML trying to change all of Munde’s decisions? It seems that the transport body wants to go back to its old ways,” said Prathmesh Patil, a daily commuter.

Source : Times Of India

Link : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/yellow-boxes-are-back-on-roads-for-pmpml-drivers/articleshow/63873049.cms

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