PMPML bus operators call off strike

A day after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) standing committee chairman Vishal Tambe promised that the civic body will make advance payment to Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) for providing free passes to students, the transport utility managed to convince the six private bus contractors to call off their strike on Thursday.

Of the 273 buses hired by PMPML, 256 were not plying for the past two days as the contractors had gone on strike demanding their outstanding dues of nearly Rs 7 crore which the transport body failed to pay since April 1. PMPML officials had a meeting with the bus operators on Thursday and assured them of paying their dues soon.

Joint managing director of PMPML Pravin Ashtikar said, “We convinced the bus operators to call off their strike after the PMC promised to make advance payment.”

Yogesh Pawar, a bus operator, said, “We have called off the strike as the PMPML officials assured us of clearing most of our dues by next week.