Speak up Mumbai: Is BEST caught between devil and deep blue sea?

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking on February 13 announced its decision to hire 450 private buses on wet-lease, a first in its 113-year-old history. These will include about 200 AC and 200 non-AC mini buses and 50 regular 30-seater non-AC buses which will start plying in phases over the next three months. This, according to the Undertaking, is the ideal way to save capital expenditure. The BMC did not allocate funds to the already cash-strapped BEST in its 2018-19 budget.

Members of the BEST committee, the policy-making body of the BEST, sanctioned the proposal on Monday. 

Many see the Rs 605 crore deal as a step towards privatisation. BEST labour unions, who worry the move will mean a massive staff cut, threatened an indefinite strike however it was cut short after the Bombay high court intervened.

The BEST’s losses soar up to Rs 880 crore while its fleet has come down to 3,310 buses and passenger count dipped to 28 lakh per day. Under such fragile conditions, DNA asks Mumbaikars for their view on BEST’s revival.

VOICES

There is an urgent need for work on the infrastructure of BEST buses. This will help more space within the buses and will be much safer for female commuters. Increasing the bus fare will help in getting improved buses. The buses we travel in have been the same for the past few decades. Installing CCTV cameras and other such security measures must also be considered for the betterment of facilities. 
—Smita Bhingarde, Jogeshwari 

The BEST needs to modernise its system to attract more commuters. This is the way it can come out from its current financial crisis. They need to start a bus tracking system to help commuters to know the geographical status of buses. A survey can also be carried out to know what commuters want from the transport undertaking. Privatisation can be an option but this may increase the fare.
—Amit Anand, Chembur

My most favourite mode of public transport has lost its past glory and calls for a number of drastic measures to ensure passenger-friendly, efficient and punctual service. Introducing an app to help passengers lodge complaints and to inform them about the Estimated Time of Arrival can save time. Increasing the frequency of buses on feeder routes and introducing AC buses on popular routes is the need of the hour. With the assistance of traffic police, the BEST can provide speedier and safe travel.
—Sagar Rane, Dadar

Travelling on BEST buses reduces traffic on the roads and the number of private vehicles will decrease by a major extent however this can only be achieved if BEST improves the quality of its buses and allows for comfortable bus connectivity at least to major commercial areas. This will reduce time and even fuel. This can be achieved quickly if BEST is handed over to a private company.
—Sweta Nair, Mulund

The government should ensure that the employees working with BEST are performing their duties diligently. It is important that the government employees adopt skills like corporate sectors to enhance productivity and fulfill demands of the common man. An efficient fuel system should curb the high cost to BEST which will help them decrease their losses. However, a private body to run private buses will only increase the travel cost for the common man.
—Shweta Patil, Mulund

The frequency of BEST buses has to improve particularly on holidays. BEST also needs to improve the seating arrangement for senior citizens in buses and at bus stops. AC buses do not seem to have given the BEST the desired results. They should look at scrapping them or understanding how to ensure that they can be more profitable. They can also look at introducing newer buses that are more cost effective. A study of just who uses the BEST bus service and what they need to cater will work.
—Vinod D’Souza, Bandra

I think the use of advanced technology and some more man power would improve the condition of the BEST from its current state. However that will not be enough if the buses are not well maintained. To improve its services and attract more passengers, the BEST should consider adapting better and upgraded buses and be open to technology that will help passengers commute better.
—Nishi Singh, Ambernath

I think the BEST should introduce more special BEST buses for ladies only like how the railways does on every route. It is needed in a city like Mumbai where not only men but an equal number of women travel for work and use public transport. It will be better if more double decker buses are introduced in the suburbs. BEST should also better take care of the health and financial issues like salaries of their drivers and conductors for smoother transport.
—Rupali Lahane Tambe, Powai

EXPERT SPEAK

The BEST should ideally run buses that connect shorter routes and compete with taxis and autos. They should increase services on these short distance routes. That is the best way to provide faster connectivity. There should be some buses in the fleet that operate on longer routes with fixed timings. 
—Ashok Datar, Transport expert; Chairman, MESN

The BEST’s management, be it the administration or the political committee, is a complete failure. The elected members simply come to earn money but do not think of ways to improve BEST’s financial health. The buses run full which means there is still a demand. However the administration should take steps to improve punctuality.
—Mansoor Darwesh, president, Passenger and Traffic Relief Association