Chalo registers 11L downloads, BEST aims to expand reach

The Chalo App of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) has surpassed 11 lakh downloads, of which an average 7-8 lakh passengers buy tickets through the app. This is close to 25 per cent of the total daily passengers – nearly 30 lakh.

However, the BEST wants to exploit the option of season tickets with an objective to increase the average daily ridership. Over 2.5 lakh passengers bought season tickets on this App.

A senior BEST official said, “We want to expand the base of season tickets vis-a-vis the overall ticket count, so that we are assured that more passengers will opt for BEST buses rather than other modes like auto-rickshaws and taxis.” He said the BEST aims to touch 35 lakh daily ridership in the next three to four months for which sale of season passes will be an important factor.

An average 11 lakh passengers browse the App daily to locate the nearest bus for their destination from their boarding points. Chalo pinpoints the precise location of the bus and this feature is being heavily used, the data has revealed.

Sources agree that people are not enticed by their season pass schemes that they introduced last year.

The BEST bus passes have 72 new plans under the super-saver plan scheme, which includes options for two to four weeks, daily plans and flexi plans. It also goes all the way up to 84 days; and from two trips up to 150 trips.

The super saver plan is targeted at senior citizens. The plan to install card readers on ring route buses is in advanced stages, wherein people can tap their Chalo app and NCMC cards for faster and smoother movement.