26 September,2015 08:10 AM IST | | Varun Singh
The BMC may approve a proposal providing free Wi-Fi on BEST buses soon; the BEST feels this encourage youngsters to use the services more
The BMC, in an attempt to increase passengers in BEST buses, may soon give a nod to the proposals by various political parties, for providing free Wi-Fi in the buses.
Passengers may soon be able to surf the net in BEST buses. File picture for representation
This proposal, recently made by Congress corporator from Colaba, Sushma Salunkhe, is up for approval on October 5. The BMC also seems to be in the mood for the approval, and the commissioner will present a desirability report for it on the same day.
In 2013, the Shiv Sena's youth wing, Yuva Sena had made the same demand. In a letter to the BMC commissioner in July 2013, Aaditya Thackeray had written that free Wi-Fi should be started for commuters in buses. However, while this did not happen, free Wi-Fi had been provided at Shivaji Park.
Vinod Shelar, senior Congress leader and husband of Salunkhe said, "It's a good thing. In the age of connectivity why not let us have free Wi-Fi that will connect everyone on buses? This will help the residents of Mumbai. We are hopeful that all parties will support the move."
The BEST officials think it will help them in getting more crowd, as the company is going through losses. "The move is good, and we are expecting that youngsters will use the bus services more if Internet is provided," said Arvind Dudhwadkar, chairman, BEST committee.
A senior official from BEST said the proposal is right now with the BMC. "We do not have much of an idea on the current proposal, but we were working on similar lines a couple of years ago. But then it got stuck in bureaucratic procedures," the official said.
