BEST Bus Service will be free for select Mumbaikars

In a bid to give impetus to Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) buses and Brihanmumumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) school kids, BEST has announced that it will provide free bus services for school children. In addition to this, specially-abled commuters can also avail free bus services. 

Senior citizens can avail 50 per cent concessions in BEST buses. To ensure that this move is not misused, BEST authorities have stated that children can only avail free bus service on their school route during the school timings by showing a valid ID card. A BMC official stated that the idea of the BMC is to revamp the education infrastructure also BEST is in the process of face-lifting its image. With this step, the authorities want to make sure that more students use the bus service, so they are aware of the improved service during the formation years of their lives. However, the authorities yet have to send a confirmation for the same. 

Also Read: BEST says 80% of its red buses will only operate on shorter distances

Notably, in the BMC budget of 2020, it allotted ₹1,500 crores for cash-strapped BEST. BEST aims that a maximum number of office employees and school children should be using its service, therefore its continuously increasing its fleet and frequency. It recently introduced two new routes i.e. Goregaon to Adarsh Nagar in Aarey Colony and Grant Road to J. Mehta Road in Malabar Hill.

Following is the complete list of BEST buses added to its fleet: 

• Bus no. 7 LTD will run from Dr SPM Chowk to Rani Laxmibai Chowk between 12:15 am and 12:30 pm. Two buses will run on this route. 
• Three buses from Dr. S.P.M. Chowk to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus from 11:30 pm on Wednesday to 12:30 am on Thursday. 
• Five new buses from Dr. S.P.M. Chowk to Ahilyabai Holkar Chowk Churchgate Station (East) between 10 am and 11 pm. 
• Three additional buses will be added for route no 203 which will run from Andheri Station (West) to Juhu Beach between 11 pm and 11:30 pm on Wednesday.
• Five additional buses will run from Santacruz Station (West) to Juhu Bus Station between 10 pm to 11:15 pm on Wednesday. 
• There will be additional buses running (on route No 247) between Borivali Station (West) and Gorai Creek. The buses will operate on route number 294 while returning. 

Also Read: BKC office goers most impacted by the BEST-MMRDA tussle