Latest news with #AVShenoy
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
After Mumbra accident, state begins work on unified bus network for MMR
MUMBAI: Twelve days after the accident on a crowded local train near Mumbra that killed five passengers and left nine injured, the state government has initiated steps to address one of the root causes: the lack of reliable public transport alternatives. In a bid to reduce pressure on the suburban rail system, a long-pending plan to integrate bus operations across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is finally underway. 'At a time when the government is focused on building metro rail lines, there must also be a push to improve bus services,' said AV Shenoy, member of the Mumbai Mobility Forum. 'Integrated and frequent bus services can help ease pressure on suburban trains and serve as effective feeders to metro and railway stations.' (Hindustan Times) For the first time, authorities are mapping and consolidating routes run by various municipal transport undertakings—BEST, Thane Municipal Transport (TMT), Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT), Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Transport (KDMT), and others—across Greater Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Ambernath, Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar and Ulhasnagar. A special committee comprising senior officials from these municipal corporations and transport agencies has been formed and held its second meeting on Friday. The committee is tasked with drawing up a unified operational blueprint to streamline services, reduce duplication, improve frequency, and address long passenger wait times—especially on inter-city routes where different undertakings currently operate in silos. Mapping, integration and route optimisation 'We are looking at three crucial aspects,' said SVR Srinivas, general manager of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking, which is playing a lead role in the initiative. 'The first is identifying all the bus routes in the MMR that connect Mumbai with neighbouring cities like Navi Mumbai and Thane. This will help prevent duplication and allow us to plan bus schedules in a coordinated manner.' For instance, the BEST-operated AC-700 from Borivali to Thane via Mira Road overlaps with Route 65-AC operated by TMT. Under the unified framework, schedules will be synchronised to minimise wait times and optimise frequency across these overlapping corridors. At present, passengers using intercity buses often wait 45–60 minutes between services, and multiple buses from different undertakings may ply the same route within minutes of each other—highlighting the inefficiencies of the current system. The committee is collecting data on fleet strength, route networks, frequency (headway), and timetables. An integrated route map and master timetable are in the works. One network, shared assets Apart from synchronising bus schedules, the committee is also exploring shared use of infrastructure—such as depots, bus stations (especially near railway terminals), electric charging stations, and CNG refuelling points. There is also a plan to share best practices in maintenance and repair using new technologies. Once a detailed analysis is complete, the committee will recommend fare rationalisation across services to ensure affordability and consistency for passengers travelling across municipal limits. 'In the current scenario, each undertaking plans independently. Our goal is to unify operations so that passengers benefit from a truly regional transport system,' said another senior official involved in the initiative. A necessary shift beyond metro ambitions Transport experts have long argued that while Mumbai's metro expansion grabs headlines, surface transport like buses plays an equally crucial role, especially in last-mile connectivity. 'At a time when the government is focused on building metro rail lines, there must also be a push to improve bus services,' said AV Shenoy, member of the Mumbai Mobility Forum. 'Integrated and frequent bus services can help ease pressure on suburban trains and serve as effective feeders to metro and railway stations.'
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
BEST's own fleet hits a new low: 639
MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking owns just 639 buses, less than a quarter of its total fleet of 2,758. The remaining 2,119 buses are on wet lease with the undertaking, a contractual agreement with private operators. Sources in the BEST said in mid-March, the undertaking's own fleet had 817 buses. (Representative picture) (Photo by Raju Shinde/HT Photo) (Hindustan Times) These figures emerged at a meeting of the undertaking to take stock of its fleet. Officials said the number of buses owned by the BEST will decline further as another 170 vehicles are expected to be scrapped this month. The shortage of buses has increased the wait time for commuters by 30-35 minutes. 'We are scrapping buses from our own fleet but have asked manufacturers to expedite production and hasten delivery. We are also planning to acquire small modern buses that will connect railway and metro stations, to boost last-mile connectivity. On Wednesday, we integrated our bus routes on Google Maps to help commuters track buses and plan their journey,' said a BEST official. Until May, the BEST received 540 buses on wet least from Olectra Greentech, which is supplying the undertaking electric, air-conditioned buses. The BEST has placed another order for 2,400 e-buses, whose production is yet to begin. The BEST is also struggling to procure more than 50 double-decker e-buses from Switch Mobility. As of now, BEST's electric fleet, including those from wet-lease operators, includes 900 buses, around a third of its total fleet, while it aims to convert the entire fleet to e-buses by 2027. Sources in the BEST said in mid-March, the undertaking's own fleet had 817 buses, while the total was 2,821 buses. In just 50 days until May 2, the BEST scrapped 178 buses. At a recent public meeting called by 'Aamchi Mumbai, Aamchi BEST', citizens said they were upset at the poor frequency of BEST buses. 'The wait time has gone up due to the shortage of buses. As a result, bus stops are crowded, especially during non-peak hours, when the number of bus trips drops,' said AV Shenoy, a transport expert. The BEST claims it is aiming to take its total fleet to 7,000 buses by 2029. Passenger associations feel the recent 100% fare for both AC and non-AC buses is ill-timed as commuters should not have to shell out more when the wait time of buses has increased.
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
BEST plans last-mile connectivity for Dharavi-Cuffe Parade Metro 3 route
MUMBAI: In a first, the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) has developed a comprehensive last-mile-connectivity plan for the upcoming phases of Metro 3 on the BKC-Cuffe Parade section. The first phase is on the Dharavi-Acharya Atre Chowk route, which is expected to be opened to the public in the first week of May. Previously, the Undertaking planned and implemented last-mile connectivity for Metro 2A and 7 after citizens complained about its lack. Sources in BEST said that the Undertaking has proposed to operate 79 buses on 28 different routes between Dharavi and Cuffe Parade, connecting 17 Metro 3 stations on this route. A detailed presentation was made last week to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis as part of the larger revival plan for BEST. The introduction of last-mile connectivity is part of the multi-modal integration to facilitate commuter movement. For this, BEST is also tying up with Google Maps, which will integrate bus routes, bus fleets, provide the expected time of arrival and offer seamless travel to passengers. 'We have divided the last-mile-connectivity routes for Metro 3 into two phases,' said a BEST official. 'The first phase is on the Dharavi-Acharya Atre Chowk route, where we have identified 10 bus routes which will be catered to by 29 buses. These will chiefly act as ring route services connecting the metro stations. There are 17 different routes that can be accessed through our buses from the metro stations. The necessary infrastructure is being created and existing infrastructure is being integrated with the system.' Some areas to be covered by the buses are Lower Parel, Nehru Science Centre, Worli Dairy, Worli Village and Sea Face, Dadar, Mayor's Bungalow, Mahim, Sion and Dharavi. 'Last-mile connectivity is essential, as only then will the metro succeed,' said A V Shenoy of the Mumbai Mobility Forum. 'It's similar to how suburban stations have BEST bus stops/stations outside, which makes transport seamless.' In the second phase, the BEST buses will cover a larger base and are expected to cater to 30 different areas. Sources said that 50 buses would ply across 18 different routes catering to more areas in South Mumbai. These include Navy Nagar, NCPA, Colaba, World Trade Centre, Mantralaya, Nariman Point, Gateway of India, Ballard Pier, CSMT, J J Hospital, Sandhurst Road, Grant Road, Babulnath, Walkeshwar, Tardeo, Haji Ali, Lower Parel, Mahalaxmi and others. The buses will run on a ring-route basis, connecting metro and railway stations apart from business hubs, commercial complexes and residential areas. Sources in BEST said the bus routes would cover a distance of 1 km to 4 km from the metro stations.
