MMRDA to buy fleet of buses to ferry commuters to Bandra and Kurla stations from public transport-starved Bandra Kurla Complex
MMRDA to buy fleet of buses to ferry commuters to Bandra and Kurla stations from public transport-starved Bandra Kurla ComplexCommuters who wait hours on end for public transport in Bandra Kurla Complex now have a reason to smile.
If things go according to plan, they will soon have an air-conditioned bus service to ferry them to and from the Bandra and Kurla railway stations.
The Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) plans to introduce an AC bus service to connect the suburban stations to BKC, home to several state and corporate office buildings.
MMRDA Commissioner Rahul Asthana said, "We will buy these buses, but their operation and maintenance will be carried out by the transport body."
While the fleet size and financial investment is yet to be finalised, the plan was mooted after taking cognisance of commuter complaints that BEST buses in the area were infrequent, and rickshaws often refused to ferry passengers. Even the share-a-rickshaw facility from Bandra station was inadequate.
The planning authority has in the past, come up with ideas of different kinds of transit systems meant exclusively for BKC. "Personalised Rapid Transit System is unviable and Light Rail Transit System is very expensive.
Even the monorail is not a preferred option. We have already informed BEST, and officials have started working on a proposal that will detail how many buses will be needed and what kind of administrative and operational arrangements will have to be put in place to manage such a fleet," said Asthana.
It will take at least two months for the MMRDA to finalise other details, including fare and a timeline by hen the service will begin, officials informed Sunday MiD DAY.
