Frontline staff who traveled at the height of the pandemic amid severe restrictions recount how without the BEST, their commute would have been a nightmare
A police constable checking the IDs of BEST commuters near Siddhivinyak during the initial days of the lockdown in March. File pic
When the lockdown started a year ago, Mumbai’s BEST bus turned into not just Mumbai’s but also the MMR’s lifeline. Trips were started to far-off places like Ambernath and beyond, which in pre-COVID times was unprecedented.
ADVERTISEMENT
On March 20, 2020 the chief minister’s office announced a shutdown. As public buses were asked to ferry essential workers in the absence of trains, the BEST plied on 16 routes and on the demand of hospitals, went beyond the city limits to places like Ambernath and Titwala. Eventually, BEST buses were going to Badlapur.
“Actually many hospitals commissioned the BEST services and we ran buses as per the requirements of medical staff. The special buses were run for a short period till local trains resumed services for essential workers on June 15,” a BEST spokesperson said.
“The services proved helpful in the initial days of the lockdown when there was much confusion and we are thankful to the undertaking,” Dr Rajesh Kumar, a senior doctor said. An email from a health worker stated that the BEST buses proved to be angels as they could be depended upon.
Dombivli resident and senior nurse at KEM Hospital, Varsha Salagare said, “When local trains were down, we had a lot of difficulties reaching KEM Hospital in Parel from Dombivli. We got down at Thane and took another bus to Parel and it was very exhausting. We alerted our matron, who took up the issue with the higher-ups and the BEST started a service for us literally from our doorstep.”
“Two buses per shift would wait for us near the station, making the journey pleasant. We are indebted to the BEST for the service. Today, we have been felicitated as COVID-19 warriors, but had the BEST not supported us, we would never have reached our offices properly,” Salagare added.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
