Few seats, more standing room in 10 BEST buses

The BEST has begun one-by-one-seater bus services with only window seats on both sides. This will accommodate more commuters in the bus and also more space to stand comfortably. Sujit Mahamulkar reports.

If you don’t mind standing during travel, then Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has a new set of buses just for you.

HT Image

The BEST has begun one-by-one-seater bus services with only window seats on both sides. This will accommodate more commuters in the bus and also more space to stand comfortably.

As an experiment, 10 buses on three short routes have been launched — Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus to Nariman Point, Andheri to SEEPZ and Bandra (East) to Bandra-Kurla Complex.

“The motive behind the new service is that more commuters should reach their destinations faster. The rush at railway stations will disperse in lesser time, especially during peak hours,” said an official who did not wish to be named.

On an average, about 1,700 to 2,000 commuters travel on the about 10-minute route CST to Nariman Point route in the morning and evening. Normally single deck buses carry about 80-85 passengers per trip. This new bus can take 20 per cent more standing passengers.

The official believes that this service would also help to attract passengers who use share taxis and rickshaws. “The new service is getting a good response. We will continue it for the next 3-4 months to decide whether it should be implemented on a larger scale or discontinued,” he added.