BEST way to look toward future

Five years from now, there will be at least two new functional Metro rail lines in the city, the suburban rail network will be augmented with the expansion of existing lines under both the Central and Western Railway, and the city's only Monorail can be expected to run smoothly. This is how primary modes of public transport in the city, would look like. Black and yellow cabs, autorickshaws, and app-based aggregators, that provide point-to-point travel, might be in more or less demand. With all of this forming the background, the 93-year-old BEST's future raises serious concerns. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking's first motor bus ran in 1926 but, it has been going through financial constraints in the past few years. Will striking come to the company's aid? Some of the transport experts feel that the firm might become irrelevant.

Do the simple math

Everyday, more than 78 lakh people travel on local trains — this number has been seeing a rise year after year. People are prepared to push, pull, shove and adjust but, they will continue to travel in local trains on both the Western and Central lines. The Indian Railway too is expanding and inter-linking the suburban rail network to the metropolitan region — regions of Navi Mumbai, Thane, Dahanu and Alibaug. So, it does not seem that demand will fall any time soon.

The minimum fare a commuter pays to travel in a general compartment for the first 10 kilometre, is Rs 5. Similarly, a commuter pays Rs 45 for travelling in the first-class compartment.

Next ranks the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro rail. This 11.40-kilometre-long Metro rail is used by around 4 lakh people, on a daily basis. There are long queues at stations. The fact is commuters are still fighting for adequate space. Here too, the average cost of travel is Rs 3.50 per kilometre.

The MMRDA and MMRC is constructing a web of Metro rail lines across the city's eastern and western suburbs. In the next five years, one can at least expect the Dahisar (east) - Andheri (east) line 7, Dahisar - DN Nagar line 2A and DN Nagar - Mandale line 2B to be ready for the common public. By then, other lines will be under construction.

The "kaali-peeli" cabs and autorickshaws have already adapted themselves to the culture of providing feeder services. Shared autos and shared taxis have enabled travelling for short distances. People often resort to these modes of transport to reach their destinations from railway stations or to reach the station from their homes. They also ply on long distances. People prefer getting into a taxi or an auto despite the fact that they have to pay an average of Rs 15 and Rs 12 respectively, for a kilometre. The fare per kilometre has also been calculated in government's fare chart.

Moving a step ahead are mobile aggregators like Uber, Ola, and Meru. The best part is, their services can be booked from home. A person gets to know every relevant detail of his journey before booking the cab. Customers are made aware of fare surges and incentives. Over the last four to five years, these cab aggregators have become convenient and charge anything between Rs 9 to 12 per kilometre.

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Best solution for BEST

In the past nine days, over 27 lakh people, who use BEST buses, to travel on 1,941 square kilometre of the city's roads, were deprived of its services. There was hardly any uproar over the shutdown; the kind that is witnessed if local trains are shut or even delayed. Over the years, people have gotten accustomed to the fact that BEST buses can be delayed.

The punctuality of these buses have gone for a toss as their speed never exceeds 10-12 kilometre per hour; that is the case even on highways. "The average waiting time for people at bus stops is 45 minutes," Ravi Raja, a BEST Committee member, said. In a city like Mumbai, where time matters the most, such a thing is unacceptable.

The Undertaking is struggling. Right from issuing tickets using machines (the BEST has gone back to paper tickets), use of smart cards, mobile ticketing, running air-conditioned buses, running buses on most plausible routes (BEST is cancelling its loss-making services), installing a central passenger information system, monetisation of assets, to installing CCTVs inside buses, there have been too many ups for the company.

Its modal share has deteriorated from 27 per cent to 14 per cent, in the last ten years. On the other hand, the share of emission-generating private vehicles has gone up from 24 per cent to 39 per cent. The number of private vehicles during the same period has touched 33 lakh from 20 lakh.

The BEST's nine-day-long strike opened up a can of worms within the Undertaking. People running the company are unhappy. The company is facing accumulated losses of Rs 2,500 crore. The strike will add an extra burden of Rs 550-600 crore. However, Mumbaikars are waiting for the BEST to revamp.

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In Troubled Waters

In the last 10 years, Best’s modal share has deteriorated from 27% to 14%; share of emission-generating private vehicles has gone up from 24% to 39% 

1. Provide for existing gaps in public transport — provide last mile connectivity to and from mass rapid public transport systems of Metro rail and suburban railway stations
2. Implement circulatory routes, such as Fort Pheri shuttling between CSMT and Churchgate. Circulatory routes can be planned for existing and upcoming institutional/commercial hubs of Worli, Goregaon, Parel, Malad, Vikhroli, Turbhe, Vasai, Virar, & Airoli
3. Environment-friendly fleet of buses - With rising air pollution across the city, BEST must be seen as a saviour as it can lead to a reduction in the use of private vehicles. To encourage larger ridership, the fleet of buses must be made comfortable & convenient
4. The MCGM must urgently undertake a city-wide study and execution plan to identify, demarcate roads which can accommodate dedicated high-occupancy lanes for BEST, private buses & carpools 
5. Rent out BEST buses to corporates and multi-national companies for pick-ups and drop‐-offs to and from metro rail and suburban rail stations further alleviating traffic in CBD areas
6. Double-decker buses should be refurbished as hop-on/hop-off tourist buses. This will conserve BEST’s heritage and provide a safe, convenient, and comfortable service for tourists
7. Introduce an automated BEST card-ticketing system with card reader machines inside buses and at bus stops, maximising efficiency. These cards should be sold at BEST booths, railway stations, grocery stores, tourist offices etc
8. Design of bus stops must incorporate travel routes and timings. Real-time information should be ensured to provide users with updated bus timings, arrivals and delays (if any). The design should be improved for effective queuing and better facilities should be incorporated for senior citizens, disabled people and children

Cost Per km (approx)

Metro rail (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar) Rs 3.50

• BEST: Rs 4
• Taxi: Rs 15
• Auto: Rs 12
• Uber/Ola: Rs 9-12 (varies on surge pricing and model of vehicle)

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