In an astonishing move by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply Transport (BEST), 400 new CNG buses on wet lease will have 20 women conductors dispensing tickets.
This development came after the contractor for the CNG buses recently approached BEST management to seek permission to recruit women as conductors in the wet-leased buses.
An official said that as per the contract, buses, drivers and conductors will be provided by the private agency. These 400 CNG buses will not have a single staff of BEST and will be totally outsourced.
In a report by TOI, BEST general manager Lokesh Chandra said that there is no limit to how many women conductors can be recruited. It will be on merit and the women will receive training once inducted.
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Meanwhile, as per sources, the recruitment process has just begun, however, at least 20 buses will have women conductors.
The BEST currently has 16 women conductors, most of whom are attached to Wadala depot and work in ladies special buses.
At present, the BEST has over 1,200 wet-leased buses with male conductors.
Moreover, reports suggested that the BEST has released tenders for purchasing 1,900 fully electric buses, gesturing towards possibly one of the foremost electric bus fleet enlargements in India.