PUNE: The ambitious project of MI card of Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) is not getting a good response from the commuters. From the last two years, the number of commuters has reduced by more than 7,000. The MI was launched in 2017. The MI cardholders have managed to rope in only 52,248 customers only although they are about 2.5 to 3 lakh passengers who use monthly passes every day.

After introducing in March 2017, the PMPML had expected that pass holders including senior citizens, students and even their staff will to migrate to MI card as it will bring convenience and better longevity and other daily benefits.  As per the information obtained by Sakal Times, in 2017-18, a total of 25, 663 MI cards were given to commuters. The number was drastically reduced in 2018-19 and it dropped to 9,050 commuters. However, it has increased in 2019-20 with 18,772 cards but it is less than the inaugural year. 

Initially, PMPML had asked all its employees (around 10,110) to procure the cards which will serve as their ID and will also help them commute to work free of charge. Despite initial opposition by the staffers, the PMPML has finally managed to persuade its staffers to obtain the card.

For PMPML staffers, the cards were priced at Rs 80. Later, the price was revised to Rs 118 following a decision by the board of directors of the transport utility.

Shiv Patil, a student commuting daily by PMPML bus from Vadgaonsheri to PMC, said that he was not aware of MI Card and he would have preferred to buy the card then buy tickets every day. “The card should be priced at a nominal rate – say Rs 20 – as a passenger will have to anyway load money in it to travel,” said Patil.