BEST committee drops plan to buy new low-floor buses

The Bombay High Court in 2004 had castigated the state government for the lack of disabled friendly public transport systems in the city. After the court order, BEST included five Ultra Low Floor Monocoque design buses from Tata Motors in 2005.

A total of 30 buses were subsequently sourced from Tata Motors on the basis of competitive bidding. The buses which were purchased at a cost of Rs 26 lakh each have witnessed frequent breakdowns.

These buses have rear engines, which are deemed to be too noisy and in the the last 10 years, their condition has deteriorated drastically. Officials have listed various problems including corrosion of the body due to humidity. The structure is also prone to break at the middle entrance door.

The buses also have a smoky exhaust, poor pick up and noisy operation making them stay off the road most of the times for maintenance, officials added. “The existing ultra-low buses should be withdrawn, since passenger safety comes first,” said Ravi Raja, member of the BEST committee.

All the 30 ultra-low buses which were bought in 2005 ply only within Fort. The operation of these buses is further hindered by speed-breakers and flooding during the monsoons, say officials.

However, the problems do not end here. “The Bombay HC had ordered the BMC and MMRDA to build ramps at bus stops and to level the footpaths, which they haven’t. We need to work collectively to provide facilities to the disabled,” said Kedar Hombalkar, another member of the committee.

Officials maintain that the old buses have caused immense losses to the government, especially in terms of taxes and
maintenance. “We do not have the data for the number of disabled people who have used the buses in the last 10 years. We will conduct a survey to find out the routes frequently used by the disabled and will make arrangements for proper infrastructure,” said Jagdish Patil, GM, BEST.

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