MUMBAI: In what is likely to ease the long wait at bus stops, BEST plans to expand its fleet from 3,242 buses at present to more than 4,000 soon.
Announcing this, BEST general manager Lokesh Chandra said 39 brand new AC electric buses have been inducted into the fleet on Thursday and will hit the roads from Monday followed by another 100 electric buses soon.
BEST wants to give a push to electric vehicles.
In a statement issued to the media, Chandra said, “We at BEST will provide more and more electric buses in Mumbai to reduce the air and noise pollution and improve the passenger service experience in the near future.” BEST also expects new AC Mini buses—around 200—in a few weeks and 200 more thereafter, an official said.
At the same time, the city can expect 400 CNG buses which are being procured for Rs 1,942 crore for a 10-year contract.
Chandra said he wants to make the fleet efficient, with rationalisation of routes and ensuring maximum buses on busy routes.
“We want to reduce the wait at bus stops and put an end to commuter woes.” The recent reduction in the overall fleet of over 1,000 buses and the government rule barring standees in a bus has led to scores of commuters waiting for buses in long queues (for 30-45 minutes) daily.
With ridership set to increase from 21 lakh to 25 lakh soon, commuter frustration is bound to increase, said a transport expert.