The BEST way to keep losses, traffic at bay
MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has come up with a solution to its cash crunch and Mumbai’s parking problems.
In its budget for 2018-19, the transport body has proposed to launch a mobile application to show the parking spaces available in bus depots across the city. The aim is to lure more motorists into availing the pay-and-park scheme to increase revenue.
At present, BEST allows private vehicles to be parked in Santacruz and Worli depots, and plans to introduce the scheme in other depots across the city.
The plan will come up for discussion during the budget meeting on November 21-22.
In its budget proposal, the management said the mobile application will help utilise the space available at depots and bus stations. “The mobile application for pay-and-park scheme will be made available on Android as well as IOS platforms,” said a BEST official, on condition of anonymity.
BEST charges ₹200 to allow heavy vehicles to use their space for 12 hours. While fourwheelers have to pay ₹150, two-wheelers can use the facility for 12 hours by paying ₹75. The motorists have to pay additional tax too.
The monthly charges for 12 hours a day are ₹5,000 for heavy vehicles, ₹4,000 for light vehicles and ₹2,000 for two wheelers, with extra service tax. The management also allows reserving of buses for shooting, picnics, parties and corporate events to generate additional revenue.
The transport body is facing losses of over ₹2,100 crore.
It has no funds to maintain its buses or expand services. BEST data shows the transport wing has been facing losses for several decades.
The century-old body started facing financial losses after the Centre enacted the Electricity Act 2003 that restrained BEST from using the profit of its electricity wing to subsidise losses of its transport wing.
So, the buses became solely dependent on revenue from fares. Around 43 lakh commuters used to travel on buses in 2008-09 a day. This fell to 30 lakh in 2015-16.