Latest news with #Undertaking
Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
BEST conductors grapple with paucity of loose change
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has been grappling with complaints from conductors regarding the paucity of loose change since bus fares were hiked on May 9. The shortage has forced conductors to issue more credit notes to passengers than earlier, pushing up the daily average of credit notes from ₹700 to ₹1,100, said sources. The problem is especially acute in airconditioned buses plying on short-distance ring routes, wherein the fare was hiked from ₹6 to ₹12, the sources added. 'Earlier, when passengers on ring routes paid us ₹10, we would have to return ₹5 in case of non-AC buses and ₹4 in case of AC buses,' a BEST conductor told Hindustan Times. 'But after the hike in minimum fare to ₹10 for non-AC buses and ₹12 for AC buses, we must return ₹8 or ₹10, which is a major problem due to the shortage of loose change.' BEST conductors are provided coins worth ₹125 everyday for several years now, said BEST sources. But far more ₹20 coins and notes are in circulation compared to ₹10 coins and notes, which is compounding the problem, said BEST union members. 'I myself have received several complaints about passengers arguing with conductors regarding returning loose change,' said BEST union leader Subhash Samant. As per standard practice, when conductors do not have loose change, they write the amount payable to passengers on the backside of their tickets. These 'credit notes' must be encashed at the BEST depot in Wadala and it is not possible to use them to pay for other bus journeys, said sources in BEST. 'There is a need to decentralise the disbursal of credit notes so that passengers don't spend extra to collect their own money, which at times could be lesser than the amount spent on travelling to Wadala depot,' said a BEST official. According to figures from BEST, between May 1 and May 8, BEST issued credit notes worth ₹5,746. But from May 9, when fares were hiked, till May 20, credit notes worth ₹12,621 were issued by conductors. 'The BEST administration should have thought about these issues prior to increasing fares. They should have spoken to banks for dispensing more coins,' said a commuter who did not wish to be identified. Meanwhile, the use of Chalo cards for purchasing tickets is slowly picking up, with 15-20% passengers using the cards now.
NZ Herald
15-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Onslow College deputy principal Connor Baird on leave, under investigation as ‘rumours' circulate
'When there are serious allegations made regarding a teacher's conduct, the Teaching Council's triage committee may seek a voluntary agreement with the teacher to step away from teaching while the matter is investigated to ensure a fair and transparent process,' a council spokeswoman said. 'This agreement is known as a Voluntary Undertaking Not to Teach (VUNTT) and should be seen as a precautionary measure without any implication or assumption of guilt.' According to the Teaching Council's website, such agreements can be sought when there are immediate concerns about the safety of children and young people, and the reputation of the teaching profession. There are multiple options available to the committee, including dismissing the complaint or referring it back to the teacher's employer. If the committee seeks and secures an agreement not to teach, this appears beside the teacher's name as an annotation on the teacher's registry online. If the teacher refuses, the committee may request the Complaints Assessment Committee apply to the Disciplinary Tribunal for an interim suspension of the teacher's practising certificate. The voluntary agreement remains in place until the matter has been fully investigated and resolved. An email sent out to the school community on Wednesday said they had received a media query 'about rumours circulating in our community relating to deputy principal Mr Baird, who is currently on leave'. 'Onslow College is currently undertaking a process that ensures the matter is managed respectfully and fairly,' the email said. 'As this is confidential, we need to respect the privacy of everyone involved and we are not able to provide more information to you.' The principal, Sheena Millar, has not responded to a request for comment. The Herald also contacted the Board of Trustees, asking for confirmation a deputy principal had been stood down and seeking further information about the reason, and whether any criminal complaint had been laid. 'We will not be making media statements at this time,' the board secretary responded. A Teaching Council spokeswoman said they did not comment on complaints or mandatory reports that had been made to the council, including confirming whether one had recently or previously been received in relation to a specific teacher, centre, school or kura. 'This is to ensure we act in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and the principles of natural justice,' she said. 'For clarity, the Complaints Assessment Committee (CAC) is an independent decision-making body. The CAC is run by teachers, for teachers. When the Teaching Council receives a complaint, mandatory report, or referral it will first be considered by the triage committee. The triage committee is made up of Teaching Council kaimahi, including experienced, registered teachers. 'As part of the process, the teacher is invited to respond to any allegations to help inform the committee's assessment of appropriate next steps.' She said the council encouraged anyone with concerns about a teacher to submit a mandatory report or complaint with the council. 'Our priority is to keep Aotearoa's learners safe, and ensure they have access to inclusive, and high-quality education.' Ministry of Education acting hautū (leader) Te Tai Runga (South) Andrea Williams said staff matters were the responsibility of the school board, as the employer. 'Boards must follow all required workplace policies and procedures, including compliance with the Privacy Act 2020 and its associated Privacy Principles. These principles include how employee-related information can be shared.' Police have been approached for comment.
Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
BEST fares hiked from today, to generate ₹590 crore annually
MUMBAI: Beginning today, BEST commuters will have to shell out double the minimum fare and more money for longer routes. The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) on Thursday announced its new hiked rates: ₹10 minimum fare for non-AC buses, ₹12 for AC buses and an increase of ₹5 for every 5 km after a journey of 20 km. BEST will also levy an additional ₹2 as local tax if buses cross the limits of Mumbai district. BEST sources said that the Undertaking's long routes contributed to 25% to 30% of the total 428 bus routes, ferrying 3 million to 3.2 million passengers daily. The Undertaking is also re-introducing the concessional fare for children (five to 12 years), which will be around 50% lower. The officials said that the focus would gradually be on running shorter routes and last-mile connectivity routes from the city's metro rails. There are a variety of bus passes on offer. 'A passenger can travel throughout Mumbai, and its extended suburbs and region where BEST operates,' said a BEST official. 'Students studying in private schools, colleges, universities and below 26 years can also avail of the bus pass facility. Municipal school students in uniform can travel free of cost.' For senior citizens, monthly passes for 60, 90, and 120 trips will be available at a discount of ₹50. Free travel facility will be available for blind and handicapped persons with the use of the CHALO smart card. BEST officials pointed out that bus fares had not been hiked for more than six years and were, in fact, reduced in 2019. 'The hiked rates will generate ₹590 crore annually,' said an official. 'We will place orders for wet-lease buses and intend to increase our owned bus fleet as well.' As per an MoU with the BEST unions, the Undertaking is supposed to have 3,337 buses in its owned fleet. At present, it has 2,758 buses, which it intends taking to 3,500 buses by March 2026 and 6,000 buses by 2029. This will help in improving the current statistic of 20 buses for 100,000 passengers to the global norm of 60 buses per 100,000. 'We will be able to bring down waiting time as well from the present 30-40 minutes to 15-20 minutes,' said another BEST official, adding that even after the fare hike, BEST was a much cheaper option for citizens.
