BEST to rationalise bus routes to boost connectivity with Metro Line-3 corridor

In a bid to enhance lastmile connectivity complementing the upcoming launch of the second phase of the Mumbai Metro Line3 the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport BEST undertaking has proposed rationalising 32 bus routes this year news agency PTI reportedAccording to official documents accessed by PTI the plan includes the augmentation of 13 routes 464 trips the diversion of six routes 264 trips the extension of three routes 78 trips and the curtailment of 10 routes 435 trips totalling 1241 trips This initiative is expected to reduce the average passenger wait times by up to 15 minutesLast month Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had reviewed BESTrsquos financial status The undertaking operates a fleet of around 2800 buses down from 4500 a decade ago and serves over 30 lakh passengers daily in Mumbai and its surrounding areasDuring the review meeting with the CM the transport body presented its route rationalisation strategy in anticipation of the full rollout of Mumbai Metro Line3 ColabaBKCAarey also known as the Aqua Line The second phase of the underground corridor between BandraKurla Complex BKC and Worli Naka is expected to launch soon with the final phase to Cuffe Parade anticipated in the coming months The first phase Aarey JogeshwariVikhroli Link Road to BKC was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year in OctoberIn addition to route rationalisation BEST plans to deploy 29 additional buses on 17 routes for PhaseII and 50 buses on 30 routes for PhaseIII Currently the transport body operates 45 and 84 buses respectively on these routesAccording to BEST officials the rationalisation is intended to integrate the bus network with operational metro corridors provide feeder services and bridge gaps in connectivity PTI reported The new operations will follow a ringroute pattern linking metro stations with suburban rail hubs and commercial centres an official saidBEST Mumbais secondlargest public transport provider after the suburban railway network ndash which serves over 75 lakh million commuters daily ndash has been grappling with its worst financial crisis in years Passenger service revenue has fallen below Rs 700 crore in the past two fiscalsThe transport body has also proposed a fare revision which has been approved by the Mumbai civic body and the Regional Transport AuthorityOnce the minutes of the authorityrsquos meeting are signed the implementation of the revised fares will be decided officials confirmedThe proposed fare changes include doubling the minimum fare for the first 5 km and removing the fare cap of Rs 20 nonAC and Rs 25 airconditioned buses for journeys beyond 20 km Officials said the revised fare is expected to generate an additional Rs 590 crore in annual ticketing revenueWith PTI inputsatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params