Pune: The commuters of Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) have been continuously facing problems during their journey either due to snags such as breaking down of buses or misbehaviour of its staff.
In a recent case, a senior citizen couple was threatened by a PMPML bus driver during travel on Tuesday. The senior citizens filed a written complaint with PMPML administration and have been waiting for justice.
The incident took place at 4 pm, when Sharad Mahajan (78), and his wife Sudha (76), were waiting for a bus at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) bus stop to go to Sangvi. They wanted to board a bus on route number 165 from Appa Balwant Chowk to Vasant Dada Putla. When the bus (MH 12EQ 8758) arrived, they tried to board but they took some time due to their old age. The driver got angry.
“My mother told the driver that she can’t move fast due to old age and a knee surgery. The driver did not show any sympathy. He instead abused her. He threatened to apply the brake, which would make them fall and break a teeth. During their journey, the driver was continuously abusing them. When my mother said that she would jump outside, he said I don’t care. My mother called me up. I reached the bus stop,” Nilesh Mahajan, son of the elderly couple told Sakal Times.
Nilesh Mahajan is a State government employee. He told the driver that he shouldn’t have used bad words. But the driver was not ready to listen to him.
“My mother was very scared. When I asked her about the incident, she narrated it to me. I have submitted a written complaint at the PMPML Office at Swargate and sought action against the driver. I was told that PMPML Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Nayana Gunde would suspend the driver and also take action against the conductor,” Mahajan said. However, PMPML spokesperson Subhash Gaikwad said that the driver has been issued a show cause notice, after which action will be taken.
