We will publicise the BEST helpline

AS Tamboli, PRO BEST, says that their helpline numbers will be publicised prominently after commuters complaints. Prajakta Chavan Rane reports.

Women travelling in BEST buses often complain of harassment by the male passengers. What measures are in place to curb it?
Of the 4,100 buses, 3,000 have CCTV cameras. Footage from these cameras, which is saved for 72 hours, can be used as evidence. Conductors and drivers are authorised to take the bus to the nearest police station if a woman requests.

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Women say conductors and drivers are indifferent. Is BEST staff trained to handle such situations?
Conductors are not authorised to intervene, but if woman approaches them they do request to co-passenger to change his seat or stand somewhere else. The driver and conductor undergo depot-level and periodic training for ethical behaviour.

Many times drivers don’t give enough time to commuters to board the bus. The chaos gives hooligans a chance to harass women.
Our traffic inspectors are deployed during peak hours at bus stops with lots of passengers to inspect if they get sufficient time to board buses.

Passengers complain that the BEST helpline is not sufficiently advertised.
We had publicised it when we launched it two years ago. The number is seen on our buses’ electronic display. However, if commuters are complaining we will publicise it again.