The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) passed its budget for the financial year 2019-20 on Monday and gave respite to commuters by not increasing bus fares. Also, the BEST is planning to add 723 new buses to its existing fleet of 3,337 in the next 18 months to increase the existing 25 lakh passengers to 45 lakh passengers.
BEST’s General Manager Dr Surendra Bagde presented a financial budget worth ₹60.68 Cr and showed loss of ₹72.53 Cr. Despite the losses, BEST has planned to add additional buses to its fleet.
Also Read: MSRTC To Run 9320 Additional Buses For Diwali
In order to diversify its fleet, BEST will procure 40 midi buses under faster adoption and manufacturing of electric (FAME) scheme. These buses will be financed by the Union ministry of heavy industries and public enterprises.
Apart from the 11 midi running on diesel, another 200 mini AC buses on the wet lease will be introduced in the fleet and the undertaking will continue to operate 25 hybrid buses.
Along with this, a common mobility card will also be introduced with a help of which, a commuter will be able to travel across all modes of transport.
Also Read: CR Installs Nets Along Masjid Bunder- CSTM Railway Tracks To Lessen Trash Dumping
Also, this year, BEST is likely to install GPS in buses to monitor its movement as many times, commuters keep waiting for buses cluelessly at bus stops. In the first phase, it will be implemented between Back Bay, Colaba and Wadala depots. Bagde said that these facilities will be provided to the commuters without any hike in the fare structure.
Share
Tweet
