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Dedicated bus lanes to bolster BEST biz, say passenger bodies

Associations write to govt, say such lanes will bring relief to more than 27 lakh Mumbaikars

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Busy Mumbaikars waste no time to squeeze themselves into the ST bus, near CSMT on Monday. Endless wait for a commute is what the office-goers want the least while going to work. The BEST strike lends a deserted look to the CSMT bus depot
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In a letter to the state government, passenger associations in the city have said that dedicated BEST bus lanes may create confidence among Mumbaikars to use the service in big numbers thereby helping the loss-making Undertaking. Civic and transport authorities and passenger bodies are brainstorming every day to find a solution and end the BEST employees strike that completed eight days on Monday. 

The letter by the passenger bodies reads, “We have written to the government about our views. In order to restore confidence among Mumbaikars regarding the bus service, dedicated bus lanes are the best way. The government is planning the Coastal Road, which will benefit barely two lakh people that too private motorists but dedicated bus lanes will benefit over 27 lakh passengers,” transport expert Ashok Datar said.

Experts claim that a better quality of air-conditioned buses is available at a lower cost. These can increase the speed of the buses by ten to 50 per cent through dedicated lanes. The frequency of buses can also be improved with help of software thus enabling predictability and connectivity.

Meanwhile, the strike, which began on January 8, will continue today as well. The BEST employees have not been granted a hike in salary since April 2016; salaries of many employees have been delayed too. As a result, the Mumbai local, private buses, auto rickshaws, taxis, and monorail have seen a rise in the demand for their services. 268 buses were run by NMMT, MSRTC, and private buses on Monday. Most buses plied in south Mumbai, Bandra Kurla Complex and Andheri to ferrying those traveling to and from work.

“The strike will continue on Tuesday. We will have another round of meeting with the high-powered committee,” president of BEST workers union, Shashank Rao said. The strike is being spearheaded by Rao.

DID YOU KNOW

3,337 buses plying

268 extra buses operating in Mumbai (MSRTC, NMMT & Pvt)

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