The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) is in the process of procuring a total of 37 diesel-powered buses, of which three have reached Mumbai from the dealer in Jaipur. The BEST on Wednesday announced that they are all set to add 37 mini non-air conditioned buses ladies special buses ‘Tejaswini’ to improve the bus services. Out of the 37 buses, the BEST has received three buses at Dharavi Depot.
The “all women special” buses will first be registered with the regional transport office, which is expected to take about 15 days and then will be inducted into the service. The buses will have a distinct yellow colour to differentiate it from others.
As reported by a source to Indian Express, “There is no need for new routes, as there are multiple routes on which only ladies special buses run. These buses will be used to enhance frequency on existing routes. The buses will cover all business districts such as Nariman Point and Bandra-Kurla Complex.”
Sources further added, “After getting clearance from the RTO and other required procedures, these buses will be plying on the 37 routes in city and suburbs. Initially, these buses will run in the morning 7-11 and 5 to 9 in the evening during peak hours. The frequency of the buses will be increased if it gets a good response.”
These buses are 35-seater diesel variant and the cost of the bus is Rs 29.50 lakh. For the Tejaswini scheme, the state government has given a subsidy of Rs 11.50 crore. Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has already started 10 air-conditioned Tejaswini buses since last year.
Also Read: 5 killed, 40 injured in bus accident on Mumbai-Pune highway …