BEST has installed LCD television screens in its air-conditioned buses to help passengers kill time during long trips.
That long drive through Mumbai’s notorious traffic snarls just got a little easier. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) undertaking has installed LCD television screens in its air-conditioned (AC) buses to help passengers kill time during long trips. The project - a result of public-private partnership - has been introduced on a pilot basis. It is likely to be extended to the entire AC fleet by September-end.
“The LCD TV screens will run popular programmes to entertain passengers,” says Uttam Khobragade, BEST general manager.
According to a senior BEST official, authorities are hoping that the project will attract passengers along all routes serviced by the fleet. So far, the high cost of running AC buses hasn’t gone down well with the transport undertaking, which is already reeling under heavy losses. Authorities are also looking at the project as a means to increase non-tariff revenue.
The response has been extremely positive. Jayesh Ashar, a media executive who uses an AC bus every week to commute from the Oshiwara depot in Andheri to Churchgate, is calling it a “good move”. “Many passengers get bored while travelling long distances, especially during traffic jams,” he says. “It would be really nice if they can screen live news channels or other popular programming. Watching a DVD on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge might get boring after a while.”
Other travellers like Saugata Ghosh, who travel regularly along this route, also welcome the move and label it as a “value addition”.
Over the last few months, the BEST has drawn up a comprehensive list of projects that it wants to implement to attract passengers. The list includes facilities such as smartcard passes, PCO facilities on board the bus and day passes. Experts say that apart from raking in higher revenues, these services would go a long way in improving its image.
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