BEST does not want private AC buses to ply in Mumbai

While political parties are competing with each another for the forthcoming BMC elections, their representatives appointed to the committee of the civic body's sister concern BEST, have united against the state government's plan of introducing private buses in the city.

Private bus in Mumbai
File pic

Yesterday, the BEST committee members took a united decision to oppose the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority's (MMRTA) proposal to give permits for private air-conditioned buses in Mumbai to provide better services. On July 12, mid-day had reported about this in, ‘Private buses can now ply on Mumbai roads, permit-free.'

BEST bus in Mumbai

"We all decided to adjourn the committee meeting in protest of this decision. The Undertaking will face further losses and passenger numbers will further go down if this happens," said Ravi Raja, BEST committee member from Congress.

He claims that already the BEST has reached its lowest numbers yet, with an average of 32 lakh passengers per day, which once went down to 29 lakh. This could slip further to 22 lakh.

The BEST chairman, Mohan Mithbaokar, who represents BJP, said he will take up this issue. "I will write a letter to the state government asking them to withdraw this proposal," he added.

The MMRTA, that is part of the state transport department, on July 7, allowed private buses to ply throughout the metropolitan region on a point-to-point basis, without the need for securing a permit.

There are around 1,200-odd private AC buses that run in the city. This decision will now allow free flow of these buses, ensuring that people can use them instead of trains and public transport buses.