The recommendations in the policy are based on various directives of the Bhure Lal Committee appointed by the Supreme Court to improve the traffic and transport situation of the city. The policy has been tabled in the City Improvement Committee for approval.
"Since 55 per cent of all trips in the city still take place by people walking or cycling, this is probably the most important component of the Traffic and Transportation Policy but has been the most ignored," it said. The pedestrians and cyclists need the least infrastructure. Walking and cycling are not only non-polluting, environmentally friendly and healthy, but Pune's salubrious weather and compact size makes these modes eminently suitable for being used on a wider scale, the policy mentions.
It says that currently these two modes are used predominantly by people from the lower economic strata and it should be given to them.
The policy recommended immediate measures for improvement to the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) bus fleet both in terms of number of vehicles and vehicle quality which will improve the commute time, comfort and reliability for the current users. It will also reduce the danger to commuters and non-commuters and generally enhance its currently poor image.
The Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) has the capability of changing the public transport system with services to all class of commuters, including those owning vehicles. It provides an attractive alternative to vehicle users and has the potential to reduce road congestion, the policy said. The BRTS also includes provision for walking and cycling. The policy also recommends that the private vehicle use can be more effectively discouraged by levying usage based charges rather than one-time upfront costs. The taxes on private vehicles currently go to the state government while the municipal corporation bears the burden of roads. The incurring of passenger tax from users of public transport and subsidy to fuel encourages use of private vehicle while discourages public transport use, it said adding that there is need to correct the government strategy on charging taxes.
Another point for consideration is that the state government currently takes away as much as 55.8 per cent from the prices of petroleum products in terms of various taxes - state surcharge, sales tax, VAT and excise duty- while giving nothing to the citizens who are paying this encumbrance. The amount generated by the police from compounding fees for traffic offences needs to be ploughed back in strengthening the traffic police infrastructure, as per the policy.
The multiplexes and shopping complexes have free FSI for providing parking places; there is substantial expenditure for construction.
As free parking anywhere is against the principles of good traffic management and should be discouraged, the PMC should take a major percentage of the parking charges in shopping malls and multiplexes leaving a small portion for maintenance of the parking places for the owners while compensating the owners for the amount spent on the construction of the parking spaces, it said. For the congested parts of the city where the road expansion is not possible, the policy recommends vehicle-free zone with facility for pedestrians only or non-polluting vehicles.