425-bus fleet formed to tackle emergencies

To evacuate stranded commuters in case of train failure or acute water-logging during monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has formed a fleet of 425 regular buses that ply near flood-prone railway stations.

To evacuate stranded commuters in case of train failure or acute water-logging during monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has formed a fleet of 425 regular buses that ply near flood-prone railway stations.

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About 15-20 buses from each of the 25 city depots will be withdrawn from regular routes, and will be diverted to the overcrowded routes in case of emergency.

“During monsoon, the train system sometimes fails due to flooding and people are stranded outside stations. The services will be operated considering the nature of the breakdown,” stated a BEST press release. “If the period of a disaster is during office hours, then the major impact will be at CST and Churchgate railway stations. Hence, the maximum number of these buses will be operated on these routes. In case railways ceases operation on a particular stretch, say between 2-3 stations due to water-logging, then extra bus service will be operated on this stretch, within the operational jurisdiction of BEST,” it added.