Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is all set to turn Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), an international financial centre, in a smart city. As a part of its vision, MMRDA undertook the hybrid bus project to resolve the BKC traffic congestion problem and due to technical obstacles, the project was stuck.
But finally, on February 16, the Hybrid Bus Project came back to life after months of complications. CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the Hybrid Bus Project at around 10:30 am, adding to the services for Mumbaikars. The citizens will be able to travel cosily on the battery operated, eco-friendly and completely air-conditioned hybrid bus. But now the question arises, how many Mumbaikars would be able to get the comfortable ride?
Because the hybrid bus will run only on four routes and among the four, there will be no stops on three routes. And that means that the hybrid buses run from Kharghar (Route 1), Thane (Route 2) and Borivali (Route 3) will directly halt at BKC. The passengers from Borivali will be unable to get down at Goregaon, Andheri and Bandra, Kalanagar, all of them being major halts. Simultaneously, the number of passengers who can access the hybrid bus at a time is just 30, which is meagre in a city like Mumbai where transportation is the lifeline.
The number of hybrid buses is 25 which means that there would be a limited number of ferries by the buses. Despite no halts, every passenger would have to pay a handsome sum of ₹110 for a ticket which makes no sense. Seems like the bus isn’t affordable for daily commuters, i.e. the general staff of BKC. The only route that seems appraisable for passengers, is the circular route from BKC to Sion, BKC to Bandra and BKC to Kurla which will cost them ₹20.
Along with commuters from Western, Central and Navi Mumbai, there are many officials that arrive from South Bombay. At such times, the workers coming from South Bombay may not be able to enjoy the comfortable ride by travelling on the hybrid bus. Because the routes where the hybrid buses are operating does not consist of South Bombay which has led to the disappointment of many travellers from South Bombay.
The unique thing about the 25 hybrid buses is that they have been completely constructed in India and are one of its kind. MMRDA has spent around ₹50 crore on the purchase of these 25 buses, each bus for ₹2 crore.
It would be a matter of observation about how much response will the buses garner and how will the commuters respond to the factors of low passenger capacity and hefty tickets rates.
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