BEST considers smarter bus pass to check misuse, losses

In a bid to avoid the misuse of the daily bus pass, the BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) is considering a proposal to introduce a smarter bus pass powered by the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

In a bid to avoid the misuse of the daily bus pass, the BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) is considering a proposal to introduce a smarter bus pass powered by the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

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Currently, the daily pass system allows a commuter unlimited travel in a day by paying Rs25 for travel anywhere in the city on all BEST buses except on corridor and air-conditioned buses, whereas the Rs40 pass allows travel on all BEST buses except air-conditioned ones. The BEST proposed to do away with this system to cut losses.

Currently, no identification proof is required to get such passes, and commuters have been found sharing passes with others. “BEST has been suffering a loss of Rs4 lakh every month due to multiple usage,” said BEST chairman Sunil Shinde.

However, with the upcoming civic elections in mind, the BEST has agreed to stay the Rs40 scheme while scrapping the Rs25 daily pass. The proposal, introduced at the committee meeting on Wednesday, would be passed on Thursday.

If passed, the proposal would be implemented from November 1. Commuters will continue to get daily passes on the basis of photo identity till December. However, from January 1, commuters will have to produce the RFID cards to procure daily passes.