According to former BEST committee member Sunil Ganacharya, “this is the right opportunity to increase bus ridership with affordable fares” when the other modes of transport are becoming expensive.BEST buses may witness crowds from this week as fares escalated for autos and taxis across Mumbai from Saturday. As share auto and taxi fares also surged by Rs 1-2, transport analysts have anticipated migration of these passengers to the red buses.
With BEST initiating feeder routes for densely populated housing colonies in the suburbs, including Mulund, Kandivli, and Ghatkopar, the buses are operating at capacity and the crowds may intensify in forthcoming weeks, said a transport expert. While the minimum auto fare is now Rs 26 -- up by Rs 3 after the hike, the share auto fare escalated from a minimum Rs 10 to Rs 12.
In comparison, the most economical fare would be that of BEST bus which charges merely Rs 5 for a non-AC journey up to 5km, and with an additional rupee you can experience the comfort of AC and noiseless electric buses with superior suspension — at Rs 6 fare for a 5km trip.
Passenger rights activist Anil Galgali pointed out that with BEST being the public transport with cheapest fare, there is likelihood of mass migration of commuters, especially a section of office goers, for the red buses.
“The BEST should take advantage of this scenario and introduce maximum buses possible on office-going feeder routes. Ideally, it should bring back the mini buses for short-distance routes outside railway stations,” he suggested.
Galgali further said that with BEST expediting the introduction of new electric AC buses – 2,500-3,000 buses are expected to be delivered this year -- more Mumbaikars can be encouraged to use public transport and keep their private cars or bikes back home.
Autos and taxis are intermediate public transport (IPT), said transport expert Vivek Pai. “Although migration of a section of commuters from these modes of transport to buses is expected, govt should have ensured that the IPT fares are also affordable. The latest hike of Rs 3 in auto-taxi fares was unwarranted amid high cost of living in the city,” he pointed out.
He further said that BEST buses are crowded during peak hours, with many red buses carrying passengers beyond capacity. “Even an electric AC double decker is packed during evening peak hours,” he added. “The only solution for commuters would be having 6,000 to 8,000 buses on roads. This can accommodate more passengers, and BEST should bring in more e-double-deckers whose carrying capacity is high.” The BEST fleet had recently reduced below the 3,000-mark.
According to former BEST committee member Sunil Ganacharya, “this is the right opportunity to increase bus ridership with affordable fares” when the other modes of transport are becoming expensive.
“Both state and BMC should offer financial assistance to the BEST undertaking in the forthcoming state and civic budgets so that the latter can purchase its own buses, and not depend on contractual buses and drivers,” he suggested.
Sources said that BMC, which has additional charge of running BEST operations, plans to expedite procurement of new electric AC wet-lease buses so that the fleet exceeds 3,000 and passengers get more 12m-long buses with enhanced carrying capacity.
There is also a plan to push for electric AC double-deckers at “revised lease rent”, as the supply of these buses have ceased for nearly a year, sources added. The BEST presently has 50 electric AC double-deckers which operate at full capacity during peak hours.
