PMT drivers are a stressed lot

PUNE: On Sunday morning, a Pune municipal transport (PMT) bus nearly fell off Harris bridge and into the Mutha river after driver Madhukar Barhate lost control when he started feeling dizzy due to high blood pressure.
PMT drivers say this is no freak incident, as several of them are in poor health on account of bad working conditions, vehicles in need of overhaul and hectic working schedules.
"We face many problems due to mechanical faults in our buses. Driving these rickety buses on the roads is a problem, raising the chances of accidents on the city''s roads. This takes a physical and emotional toll on us," said one PMT driver.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, PMT drivers and conductors added that they were largely overworked, with few hours of rest and relaxation — all of which leads to physical and mental pressure on them.
"Money is deducted from our salary for medical check-up to be conducted twice a year, but these examinations are seldom held on schedule," one driver claimed. Adding to their woes is the fact that some of them get into substance abuse and tobacco and liquor addiction.
"We operate on a fixed number of trips per day and have some rest time in between a pre-determined number of trips. In case we are late in reporting for a trip due to heavy traffic, we miss our rest and food," said a driver.