BEST buses to ape China model

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking is all set to change the face of its red fleet of buses.

It’s going to get gender sensitive to ensure a woman is not cornered by male commuters. But for the couples who don’t mind sharing a seat, the new seats with clear demarcation may be a little inconvenient.

After a slew of initiatives like PCOs, drop boxes, LCD TVs in certain AC buses, the undertaking is all set to change the conventional seating arrangement with swanky cushioned chair arrangement a la China model.

“This will help reserve space for every commuter in our buses,” said Uttam Khobragade.  He said he saw similar arrangement in the buses in China.

The undertaking has awarded the contract of changing the seats in all buses to Tinta Media, an advertising firm. The firm has been asked to pay a security deposit of Rs85 lakh to the undertaking and will be responsible for replacing the seats and also maintaining them regularly.

The firm will earn revenue by selling advertisement space. The firm has replaced the seats in 20 buses and will take one-and-half-a-years to do it in all buses.

“But this will not be preferred by young couples,” said Yashashri Telang, 21, who works for a call centre in Malad. Telang feels that instead of changing the seats, the undertaking should have retained some in the old fashion.

When asked about concerns voiced by commuters, Khobragade said, “Who says one cannot coochy-coo on these seats? The new arrangement will not come as a hurdle to couples.”
—k_shweta@dnaindia.net