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The premium bus service of BEST undertaking launched in Mumbai city limits, Navi Mumbai, and Thane areas in February is already becoming popular with the transport undertaking seeing a daily ridership of over 5,000. The BEST rolled out the premium buses to compete with private cab service providers by offering commuters alternate public transport at much more affordable rates ensuring a comfortable and safe ride. The buses were first introduced on the airport route since a lot of commuters/flyers book a cab, and now according to BEST, a considerable shift has been witnessed in commuters’ choice.
Currently, 50 buses are operational on various routes. The premium services are run by a private operator on a revenue-sharing model with BEST undertaking. In return, BEST allows the operator to use its facilities like bus stops, and parking at the depot among others. The drivers for these buses are of the operator only.
Mumbai airport to Kharghar; Mumbai airport to Cuffe Parade; the premium bus services operate on the Thane to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Bandra station to BKC routes on a daily basis. Adding two new routes to cater to Metro commuters.
For availing of the premium bus service, commuters can track the premium bus live on the BEST Chalo App and can do the booking. Payment is completely online. Since the premium buses will not have bus conductors, commuters can use the tap-in tap-out facility.
Seeing a demand for premium buses, the BEST has introduced two new routes from April 5 which includes Thane to Andheri East and Gundavali Metro station in Andheri to BKC. The services will be available every 15 minutes during peak time from 7.30 am to 11.30 am and 4 pm to 8 pm on the new routes.
The Premium BEST buses have mobile and laptop charging facilities with comfortable reclining seats. Buses plying on airport routes will have special baggage racks, without any extra charge.
“We plan to bring more such premium buses. By providing a comfortable and hassle-free commuting experience we want to encourage commuters to use public transport services which are common abroad. Of course it is all because of the facility available. BEST too has the same objective to provide a world-class commuting experience to commuters. This will eventually help to keep cars off from roads,” said a BEST officer.
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