Telephones, FM radios soon in BEST buses

MUMBAI: With the memories of last year's floods still fresh in Mumbaikars' minds, authorities are initiating several steps this year including installing public telephones and FM radios in BEST buses, one of the city's main modes of transport.

"Keeping in mind last July's situation, when people were stuck in buses for days together and were not able to contact their families, we have decided to install PCOs in each of the 3,247 buses that BEST operates daily," BEST officials said.

The proposal, part of the Disaster Management Measures, will help a great deal in a July 26 like scenario and help eliminate a lot of the problems that were faced last year when communication lines were down, they said.

"With the help of the FM radios installed in every bus, passengers will remain in touch with the outside world and get constant updates on the weather and traffic situation in case of repeat of July 26 this year," BEST PRO AS Tamboli said.

Commuters will be able to make local as well as STD calls from the PCOs and the driver and the conductor would be in-charge of money collection, he said adding BEST had received a proposal to this effect from major telecom companies such as MTNL and Reliance.

"We are only providing the infrastructure to these companies. They will be installing the PCO's and also maintaining them. These facilities have already been provided as a pilot project to 10-15 buses and the response has been very good," Tamboli said.