Pune: A self-help group of widows and wives of former army men is all set to run 40 buses for the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML). These women will also get a chance to work as conductors, while the buses will be driven by former army men.  

The proposal was made by the self-help group which finally got a nod at the General Body Meeting of PMPML held on Wednesday. The decision was announced by Mayor Mukta Tilak in the presence of Siddharth Shirole, Director, PMPML and Sunil Kamble, Chairman, Standing Committee.

Shirole said this self-help group is going to procure 40 buses with help of the funds they receive under the Central and State-level scheme for ex-servicemen welfare.

Tilak said, “We are going to take 440 BRTS-compliant buses on rent. The same rate will be applied for these additional 40 buses that will be finalised for the 440 buses.”

Free rides for women on 8th of every month
Tilak also announced that PMPML has decided to keep bus travel free for all women travelling in Tejaswini buses on the 8th of every month. This scheme will be applied from March 8 this year, which is celebrated as International Women’s Day. “We have 39 Tejaswini buses, out of which 30 run in PMC area, while 9 in PCMC area. We are going to take an additional 27 buses so that the total number of Tejaswini buses will become 66. All women can travel for free on the 8th of every month in any of the Tejaswini buses,” said Shirole.