The 225 buses include 100 air-conditioned mini-buses, 100 non-AC mini-buses and 25 mini-buses which can easily go through narrow roads and can cater to more number of passengers
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has proposed a fresh bid to go for wet-lease scheme and get 225 buses. This would include 100 AC buses and 25 mini-buses in which the contractor will provide drivers and take care of maintaining the buses. This comes as good news as the undertaking will revive the AC buses that have been removed from service.
The BEST has proposed to revive wet-leasing of buses wherein they will only reduce the overhead costs for a period of seven years. The 225 buses include 100 air-conditioned mini-buses, 100 non-AC mini-buses and 25 mini-buses which can easily go through narrow roads and can cater to more number of passengers.
According to the proposal, the total contractual value for seven years would be Rs 305.95 crore wherein the lowest bidder has agreed to supply mini AC buses at a rate of anywhere between Rs 49 to Rs 50.45 per km, mini non-AC buses at Rs 41 to Rs 43.09 per km and midi-buses at Rs 45 to Rs 47.30 per km.
Earlier, the BEST Committee had rejected their last proposal for wet-leasing and asked to bring in a fresh proposal. The BEST has assured a run of 3,500 kilometres per month for mini-buses and 4,000 kilometres for midi-buses.
The BEST Undertaking is a financial crisis with losses to the tune of Rs 880 crore; so, its parent body BMC has suggested a few reforms to reduce expenditure.
Apart from this, even its supply division is under stress. The Undertaking's contract with Tata Power — for supplying power to the BEST, which is then distributed by the latter to 10 lakh daily consumers — will end in March 2018.
The BEST wants to lower its supply expenditure and thus looking at competitive bidding. However, in the last few days, there have been a lot of problems.
"We have asked to extend the power supply by another 6 months, and if even by April 2018 we are unable to get a new power supplier," said Surendra Bagde, General Manager, BEST.
THE PROPOSAL
- According to the proposal, the contract for seven years will cost Rs 305.95 crore wherein the lowest bidder has agreed to supply mini AC buses between Rs 49 and Rs 50.45 per km
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