PUNE: The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) administration pressed into service 699 buses for election duty. However, none of these buses broke down on their way and back to the destinations on October 20 and 21. 

According to a PMPML report, on an average, 150 buses break down daily on various routes.

The buses were used for transportation of electronic voting machine (EVMs) and other poll material as well as the personnel in charge of the elections. The buses were used in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. 

In two shifts, 699 buses went off the roads for their usual commute and the PMPML administration instead added 300 buses for daily commuters.

Around 150 to 160 buses break down daily due to which commuters suffer. If the next bus on the route is full, they are forced to wait for another bus.

As per the PMPML, on an average 158 buses broke down daily from September 23 to October 2. There are around 2,000 buses in the fleet. Of these, 1,500-1,450 ply on the roads daily. In the last two-and-half years, PMPML has added 571 buses, including 200 midi, 33 Tejaswini, 250 CNG and 88 electric buses. During monsoon, 70 buses broke down daily. 

As per the data shared by PMPML, the 699 buses given on the poll duty included 300 new CNG buses, 100 midi and old buses. 

“When the buses were given to the Election Commission, they were inspected properly. The spare parts were replaced on time. The process of inspection and change of spares started around eight-ten days before the election date. On both days, none of the buses broke down. To take precautions, the PMPML administration has deputed a team of extra staff from the maintenance department every 5-7 km,” said a senior PMPML officer.