Friday, April 24, 2009

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IT majors ask staff to use public transport

Source: siliconindia
Many techies in Pune, who have been using air-conditioned cabs and luxurious coaches to travel to work, will now have to resort to public transport buses for their daily commute as cost pressures are forcing IT majors like Infosys Technologies, Tech Mahindra and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to opt for public transport buses that come at cheaper rates and have a better reach in the city, reported Business Standard.

Infosys Technologies has recently requested Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal (PMPML), the local public transport body in Pune, to allow it an additional 20 buses to ferry its staffers from all over the city to its office locations in Hinjewadi. The company already has 16 PMPML buses operating for its staffers for some time.

Following suit is TCS, which also has placed a request for 13 PMPML buses within Pune city. "IT companies have been considering PMPML for transportation of staffers. We provide cheaper and safe service that has better reach and efficiency. Infosys, especially has asked for CNG buses, which we are trying to provide. We have excellent low-emission buses that would soon be deployed to ferry Infosys staffers," PMPML Managing Director Nitin Khade said.

Wipro Technologies and Tech Mahindra, too, are reportedly exploring possibilities to hire PMPML services instead of private bus operators. Infosys and TCS confirmed that they have placed requests with PMPML.

The advantage PMPML stands to get by providing bus service to IT companies is higher compensation than average running. The PMPML charges between Rs 55,000 to Rs 60,000 per month, for a single bus with a 50-passenger capacity. If a company hires a bus from a private operator, the monthly charge for a 50-seater bus goes up to Rs 68,000.

"Information technology companies have realized the advantages of ferrying employees in PMPML buses as against private buses. Hence, we are getting more and more demand for transportation services. Apart from Infosys, we expect services to TCS and Tech Mahindra companies will also begin soon," said PMPML traffic manager Sunil Gavali.

A number of IT professionals expressed satisfaction over the PMPML service. "We used to think public transport is pathetically maintained. But we are ferried in good buses and the service is really prompt," said K Sandeep, working with Infosys Technologies.

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