Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST), the undertaking responsible for the administration of transportation in Mumbai, has improved its services for buses in major routes in the region. The decision was reached as a way to meet the increased demand for transport services, especially during the weekend and the festive season.
As per BEST, more buses have been added on routes that ply between high-density areas and business zones, train stations, metro stations, and commercial markets. Routes that pass through areas like Andheri, Borivali, Dadar, Kurla, Ghatkopar, entry points of Thane, and South Mumbai have remained prioritized because of their high passenger capacity.
In a statement from officials regarding the upgrade of services based on feedback and analysis, BEST stated that the corporation has been noticing higher footfalls on various other routes over the past few weeks because of improved linkages with metro services. This includes a rising trend of preferring road transport due to its relatively lower costing.
To deal with the peak rush, the transport body has introduced additional services during office hours in the morning and evening. The buses will be run with shorter intervals on certain routes to minimize delays and congestion. Transport supervisors are stationed at peak stops to handle the queued-up passengers and facilitate orderly boarding.
BEST has also introduced more electric transport buses on major routes as part of its continuous improvement process. Not only do these buses provide a noiseless and comfortable journey, but they also support the environmental ideals of the city, which aims to be more environmentally friendly. Commuters have appreciated the cleanliness and spaciousness of the transport provided by BEST.
One of the major problems faced by bus transport in Mumbai is traffic congestion, and BEST officials accepted that coordination with traffic police is the most crucial aspect of maintaining punctuality. BEST is making constant efforts to modify the timetable according to traffic flow. In some congested routes, BEST has implemented route diversions along with time modifications.
The passengers have received the enhanced services quite well. Commuters who travel to and from work daily reported that the increased frequency has made commuting predictable, especially those who used the buses as the last mile to the railway stations and the subway system. The elderly and students, in particular, have appreciated the increased availability of the buses during off-peak hours.
The officials of BEST stressed that bus routes and services are of immense significance for Mumbai’s transport scenario. As there are millions of daily commutes that rely on bus transport, even minor increments in bus frequency and reliability can be of major significance for the overall transport scenario of the city.
The transportation authority has also encouraged commuters to take advantage of digital ticketing systems and mobile apps that allow the monitoring of bus locations in real time, which helps avoid confusion at bus stops. Conductors and drivers are advised to conduct themselves properly and strictly observe safety standards, particularly on congested roads.
In the future, BEST seeks to optimize its routes based on commuter traffic and traffic flow. Plans also exist to introduce express services for specific long-distance routes and enhance feeder services to metro railway stations to encourage multi-modal transport. Given the imminent expansion of Mumbai, the government feels that the development of bus transportation is a crucial move that will enable the city to rely less on transportation by personal cars, thereby reducing traffic. Better bus transportation, according to the government, will provide commuters with a comfortable, convenient, and environmentally friendly option.
