MSRTC shows BEST how to run AC buses

While Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has discontinued air-conditioned buses on most of its routes, citing losses and maintenance issues, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) seems to be having no such problems running them. Not only are they running a profit, MSRTC is now floating tenders for 500 more AC buses to add to its fleet of 1,000 Shivshahi buses.

MSRTC currently runs 72 AC services daily between Thane and Borivali and 42 services between Thane and Bhayander, which are all profitable. Encouraged by the success, it is now planning to introduce AC bus services on the Mantralaya-Thane, Mantralaya-Panvel and Dadar-Panvel routes.

In 2017, to reduce expenditure of the loss-making undertaking, BEST suspended routes of 266 AC buses. Later, 25 hybrid buses, procured by MMRDA and operated by BEST, hit the roads in March 2018, but theses buses are also running in losses.

When Mirror asked why MSRTC AC buses were profitable but BEST struggled to recover costs, a senior BEST official said that it was partially due to the fact that while MSRTC is backed by the state government, BEST would have to struggle financially.

BEST committee member Ravi Raja said, “There are a lot of reasons for huge losses but mismanagement and lack of financial help from BMC or state government are the main reasons.” Another official of BEST said differences in fare was also one of the reasons. For instance, while the fare for a 30-km ride from Thane to Borivali on an MSRTC AC bus is Rs 55, the same distance on BEST’s AC bus would cost Rs 95.

The spokesperson of MSRTC said that the profits made on the Thane-Borivali route spurred the corporation to start services on more routes.

Managing director of MSRTC, Ranjit Singh Deol said, “Our AC buses running between Borivali and Thane and Thane and Bhayander are doing well. That’s why we decided to introduce more buses in Mumbai as well as other parts of the state.” He added that MSRTC is going to issue tenders for the purchase of 500 more Shivshahi buses within a week.

Mirror has been running a sustained campaign this year to push for the revival of the lossmaking BEST, inviting suggestions from prominent citizens, activists and also those in power.