BEST’s digitisation run continues, next stop ATM-cum-bill pay kiosks in buses
After launching multi-purpose mobile vans for the acceptance of an array of utility bills, the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking is now aiming to set another milestone in its unhindered journey of digitization. On April 7, the BEST launched the country’s first multi-purpose mobile vans that will run through Worli, Bhoiwada, Naigaon, Antop Hill, Shivaji Park, Reay Road, Cuffe Parade, Colaba and Nana Chowk. There are plans to add four more vans so as to take the facility beyond the island city.
In another innovative stop, the Undertaking is working out and finalizing plans to have ATM-cum-bill payment kiosks installed inside their buses. According to officials from BEST, they are working out plans wherein their buses could be installed with these kiosks. BEST Undertaking General Manager, Lokesh Chandra, said, “We are working out a mechanism wherein we could install kiosks inside BEST buses which could be used by passengers to pay their bills. We are also seeing if facilities similar to ATMs can be made in these kiosks”.
The idea is that passengers travelling in these BEST buses could pay different utility bills like electricity, gas, water, property and municipal taxes, etc through these kiosks. If withdrawal and deposit facilities are enabled then it can also work as an ATM. Even the travellers could withdraw or even deposit extra cash which will directly reflect in their bank accounts. Also, the conductors, who carry cash amounting to Rs 4,000 to
The idea is that passengers travelling in these BEST buses could pay different utility bills like electricity, gas, water, property and municipal taxes, etc
6,000 daily, could deposit it in BEST’s account directly.
As there are CCTVs installed inside buses, these machines will also be monitored. The BEST officials added that they will also save from paying cash handling charges to banks, which amounts to Rs 10 to 12 crore annually for transport and electric supply wings.
“Although people can pay BEST electricity bills through website and apps, use of digital payment methods contributes to 6365 per cent only. If people use the mobile vans for making payments then they shall pay in cash which will be accepted through a machine by the person sitting inside this van; thus amplifying the scope of digital payments,” said another BEST official.
People will be allowed to pay all bills of different utilities; be it prepaid and postpaid mobile bills, electricity, gas, school fees, telephone landline, cable, internet, broadband, insurance premium, water, DTH, buy/renew FaSTag, municipal taxes, housing society charges, to name a few. These bills can be paid either by cash or digital modes, including credit or debit cards, UPI and RuPay.