Poor
TMT services irk citizens’ group
TMT has around
400 buses out of which only 180 buses are functional
Deepa Sarna
Gawli
Irked by the poor
bus services of the Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) and false promises made by
the authorities to improve them, a citizens’ group in Thane has now stepped
forward to take the matter into their own hands.
The members of the group strongly believe that TMT’s existence will be short-lived, considering the outstanding dues of its employees and the buses lined up for repairs at the bus depots.
“We have heard authorities just giving us false hopes, saying that they will improve TMT bus services. But they have hardly done anything. The buses are still awaiting repairs at the depot and also, the employees’ dues are still pending,” said Satyajit Shah, a Thane resident who was among the group of citizens who visited Wagle Estate bus depots to assess the situation.
“The mayor had promised that funds would be provided and soon 30 of the 112 buses lying idle would be made functional. But nothing of that sort has happened. TMT is the lifeline of the city, so we residents have decided to raise our voice against the poor services and lethargic attitude of officials,” added Shah. These residents have informally formed a TMT Bachao Kruti Samiti.
Last month, Thane mayor Harishchandra Patil had met TMT staff to hear their grievances. Patil promised funds of Rs2 crore, of which Rs55 lakh was to be utilised for repairing buses and the rest to clear the outstanding dues of TMT employees. In all, around Rs3.5 crore has been given to TMT. However, the citizens’ group members doubt TMT officials’ claim that around 24 buses have been brought on the roads.
“We have given them around Rs3.5 crore till now to carry out the repairs and make payments to their employees. As the code of conduct is on till July 7 due to the impending MLC (member of legislative council) elections, we cannot provide further help. Only after the code of conduct is lifted will we be in a position to provide financial aid,” said Patil. The mayor also clarified that spare parts of around six buses are awaited and as soon as they are delivered, these buses too would be brought on the roads.
Presently, the TMT has around 400 buses but hardly 180 buses are functional. The TMT ferries over 3 lakh passengers and covers a distance of around 63, 000 kilometres daily.
The members of the group strongly believe that TMT’s existence will be short-lived, considering the outstanding dues of its employees and the buses lined up for repairs at the bus depots.
“We have heard authorities just giving us false hopes, saying that they will improve TMT bus services. But they have hardly done anything. The buses are still awaiting repairs at the depot and also, the employees’ dues are still pending,” said Satyajit Shah, a Thane resident who was among the group of citizens who visited Wagle Estate bus depots to assess the situation.
“The mayor had promised that funds would be provided and soon 30 of the 112 buses lying idle would be made functional. But nothing of that sort has happened. TMT is the lifeline of the city, so we residents have decided to raise our voice against the poor services and lethargic attitude of officials,” added Shah. These residents have informally formed a TMT Bachao Kruti Samiti.
Last month, Thane mayor Harishchandra Patil had met TMT staff to hear their grievances. Patil promised funds of Rs2 crore, of which Rs55 lakh was to be utilised for repairing buses and the rest to clear the outstanding dues of TMT employees. In all, around Rs3.5 crore has been given to TMT. However, the citizens’ group members doubt TMT officials’ claim that around 24 buses have been brought on the roads.
“We have given them around Rs3.5 crore till now to carry out the repairs and make payments to their employees. As the code of conduct is on till July 7 due to the impending MLC (member of legislative council) elections, we cannot provide further help. Only after the code of conduct is lifted will we be in a position to provide financial aid,” said Patil. The mayor also clarified that spare parts of around six buses are awaited and as soon as they are delivered, these buses too would be brought on the roads.
Presently, the TMT has around 400 buses but hardly 180 buses are functional. The TMT ferries over 3 lakh passengers and covers a distance of around 63, 000 kilometres daily.
Published Date: Jun 13, 2012
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