Playing music, speaking loudly can get you thrown off BEST bus

Ever wished that you could ask the passenger talking loudly or blaring music on his phone to leave the bus? Now, all you have to do is inform the bus conductor.

Ever wished that you could ask the passenger talking loudly or blaring music on his phone to leave the bus? Now, all you have to do is inform the bus conductor.

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The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has issued a circular instructing conductors to tell commuters creating nuisance on the bus to leave, without refunding their ticket fare.

The BEST has decided to implement a rule under section 102 (1) (5) of the Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, which says that the conductor has the authority to ask any passenger to leave the bus if he/she is found to be disturbing other commuters.

“We have been receiving several complaints on our helpline from passengers about people talking loudly on phones and blaring music. Mostly women commuters start feeling awkward when other commuters use abusive language while talking. This move is an attempt to make the women’s travel more comfortable,” said Virendra Bagul, public relation officer, BEST.

In case of any conflict with the passenger, the conductor is authorised to take the bus to the nearest police station.

“We have instructed our staff to first ask the passenger to stop whatever he is doing that is creating a nuisance, but if he continues, then the conductor can ask him to leave,” said Bagul.

Prior to this, the undertaking had started a campaign from January 1 against passengers chewing tobacco, pan and gutkha in the bus or BEST premises.