Transport activists have welcomed the state government’s move saying that it would help in improving public transport and pave the way for the BRTS
 

Mumbai’s harried commuters can soon expect an easy travelling experience. The state government is planning to roll out air-conditioned (AC) point-to-point bus services from the commercial hubs like Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Nariman Point and Parel to the suburbs. The scheme aims at discouraging car usage, especially single occupancy users. Transport activists have lauded the move calling it one step forward in improving public transport.  

Jagdeep Desai, a Mumbai-based transport expert, told Moneylife, “In-principle it is a good idea, providing easy commuting for the office goers. For such a service the thrust has to be on the frequency and timings. It has to be on par with office hours. There also needs to be a proper planning for the returning buses. Since the during office hours the buses will ferry the passengers to their destinations, on the return journey it will most likely be empty. Here fare reduction would be one way of attracting passengers.”

Another activist suggested that instead of all buses returning to bases, the same can act as shuttles in business areas until the end of each working day. For instance, there must be shuttles from Churchgate to Nariman Point and CST Station. Or Lower Parel to BKC or BKC to Andheri and vice-versa. The government should also learn from its earlier AC bus plan named ‘Limouzine’, by a private player, which was operational in the early 90s. Under this plan, dedicated AC buses were used to commute passengers to Nariman Point from the suburbs. The plan failed as there were few passengers or the bus was empty on the return journey and with Nariman Point as only business hub. However 20 years later the situation has changed with emergence of three other central business districts, namely—Lower Parel, Bandra, and Andheri, along with Nariman Point.  

Dr PS Pasricha, former deputy commissioner of Mumbai police (traffic) and also a PhD in traffic management told Moneylife that, “An average size of an AC bus is one and half times that of a normal car. If you are giving the option of comfortable AC bus to car users, then the problem congestion will also be solved. Such service is good for the point of view of congestion, pollution and also efficient considering the rising petrol prices.”

Chandrashekhar Burande, an architect who writes a blogs on Mumbai’s developmental issue says that, “In 2008 I had conducted a workshop on the need of quality public transport as the large population dependent on it. I am glad government is now thinking on these lines.”

Recently Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan gave a nod to the scheme. The draft plan for the scheme is being prepared by the Mumbai Transportation Support Unit (MTSU) with the help of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) and the traffic police.  The quality AC buses under this scheme aims at providing comfortable commuting experience along with facilities such as coat hangers, laptop plug-in points, special handles, route maps, etc.

Currently, the BEST has 290 AC buses on 28 designated routes, which are incurring heavy losses. According to the MTSU draft plan, these routes need to be rationalized and some of them could also be converted to point-to-point services, as a pilot project.

Before launching the service, MTSU will carry out a survey to ascertain number of trips, routes, frequency of service and other information.  Based on the finding fare rates and the service plan will be finalised. MTSU has also planned to collect data, through a survey, from corporates and their employees. It plans to get the data from the corporate sector executives who are presently driving their own vehicles to work as well as other potential AC bus service users travelling from large housing colonies or the vicinity in present public transport.

Sudhir Badami, a transport activist, feels that such dedicated service could also pave way for Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS). “The plan is good but they should ensure frequency and consistency to avoid drop out of commuters. In my opinion, when the affluent will start using it, they will definitely ask for these buses to come on priority. Hence the coming of BRTS and others services such as dedicates airport shuttle.”

In fact, Moneylife had campaigned to start a dedicated public bus transport with adequate luggage space to the Mumbai Airport. Moneylife Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, drafted a memorandum with the help of experts on transportation, who unanimously supported the idea of starting an air-conditioned public bus service on a priority basis. The memorandum was sent to the BEST and to the state chief minister. Moneylife Foundation submits memorandum to BEST, CM appeals to start air shuttle for Mumbai Airport.

However, BEST instead of calling discussion on starting such project, has have ruled of any possibility of starting it. It also failed to address the core issue raised by Moneylife. BEST uninterested in starting airport shuttle service

Meanwhile, PTI reported a statement from CM’s office which said that, “Those interested in availing the services will have to go on www.bestcommute.org  and fill an online form. Information regarding the new bus service is being provided to companies and corporate offices. Those interested in getting more information about the scheme will have to send their inputs on [email protected].”