Pune: In a bid to ensure safety of women commuters, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) will install panic and stoppage buttons on 550 new buses set to join the fleet by the end of the year.Ajay Charthankar, the joint managing director of the transport body, told TOI that tenders for the procurement of the buses had been floated and those supplying the buses had been asked to ensure that the vehicles had stoppage buttons in addition to panic buttons.“PMPML has decided to buy 400 CNG buses and 150 e-buses. The stoppage buttons on the buses can be pressed by passengers to inform the driver to stop the bus,” he said.Another official pointed out that the system would be useful because there had been complaints about many buses not stopping at stops. “Many a times, passengers can’t disembark and cannot notify the conductor to stop the bus. However, a passenger will have to provide a strong reason to press the button to get off at a place other than the bus stop”, another official said.The official said the new buses would also be fitted with panic buttons. “Every alternate seat will be fitted with panic buttons. PMPML is talking to police to come up with a system in which if the button is pressed, the local police is notified immediately, besides the PMPML network system (ITMS),” the official said.Passengers, while agreeing that such a system was necessary, stressed the existing fleet needed an overhaul.“So many PMPML buses are in a pathetic condition. They are old, emit a lot of smoke and suffer breakdowns. While the buttons are necessary, the transport body should take steps to improve the existing fleet of buses,” Somesh Shinde, a regular commuter, said.

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