Got a BEST smart card? Carry purchase receipt while travelling

Commuters buying the monthly new smart card need to carry the receipts issued against the purchase of the card in January and February.

Commuters buying the monthly new smart card need to carry the receipts issued against the purchase of the card in January and February.

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This is because the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) has not yet set up a system to renew the cards.

The new photo identity smart cards were made available from December 7. “The commuters will have to carry purchase receipts. We are in the process of setting up 120 counters in the city and that would be complete by February. Till then the device will be there only in depots,” said Sanjay Potnis, chairman, BEST Committee who started the system at Wadala depot.

Later, counters and the conductors too will get the device.

During this two-month period, a commuter cannot complain about loss of one’s receipt or forgetting it back home. “Otherwise, he will have to buy a ticket,” added Potnis. The BEST is also training the conductors to use their handheld machines not only to swipe the smart card but also renew it. The BEST is also looking at making this card scheme into quarterly once their infrastructures are in place.

The commuter can buy a photo ID smart card just like a railway pass. The charges of these monthly passes are between Rs 240 and Rs 560, depending on the distance travelled.

The BEST has decided to issue the new photo ID card without any initial charges and the old smart card should be surrendered at the depot. If the commuter doesn’t want to buy a new one, then the BEST will reimburse the money within two days.