BEST all set to operate conductor-less buses on four routes on an experimental basis in south Mumbai

Don't be surprised if you don't find a conductor to issue tickets in BEST buses soon. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) is all set to operate conductor-less buses on four routes on an experimental basis in south Mumbai.

As per the plan, there will be four special bus routes of Special 1 (CST to NCPA), Special 2 (CST Station to World Trade), Special 8 and 9 (Churchgate back to Churchgate) via WTC and Nariman Point. There would be SPL and number written in red on the number plate.

Commuters boarding these buses will be expected to purchase the tickets at the bus stop itself before boarding. These buses will ply on shorter routes, which will be running from point to point without halting in-between. There will be BEST staff deployed at the originating bus stop to issue tickets and at the final destination to check.

Presently, as per the Motor Vehicle Act, conductors are mandatory. The BEST management has therefore written to the state government requesting them to exempt BEST from having a conductor onboard for every trip. Jagdish Patil, General Manager, BEST said, “We have written to the state government about it and if it gets approved we will be soon start this facility on four routes on experimental basis.”