New Projects

COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) BUS

The demand for petroleum products in India has been increasing at a rate
higher than the increase in domestic availability. At the same time there is
continuous pressure on emission control through periodically tightened
regulations particularly for metropolitan cities. In the wake of this situation
there is an urgent need to promote use of alternative fuel as substitute for
HSD. Among the options Compressed Natural Gas has received a great
deal of attention and has been already applied successfully to some of
the BEST buses (first time in India). The BEST is planning to increase the
strength of CNG buses in its fleet.

CNG can be used in the existing SI/CI engines with minor modifications.

Availability in abundance.
CNG is a clear burning fuel, with no black smoke and very low particulate emissions.
Thus CNG engine is environmental friendly.
CNG being lighter than air, diffuses upwards.

CNG is very safe fuel due to its very narrow flammability limits.
Excellent knock resistant, lower compression ratio. Lower rates of pressure rise and low
peak cylinder pressures.
Low noise level of the engine. This will add to passenger comfort.
A/C LUXURY BUS 

In an honest effort to attract the private vehicle owners to BEST buses and thereby reduce the congestion
to some extent on Mumbai city roads, which affects the mobility of vehicles, BEST has introduced 71 Air-
conditioned buses, including 20 newly introduced King Long make buses. The salient features of these
buses are

Luxury seats with soft transo fabric.

Completely Air-conditioned passenger saloon (for A/C Buses)

Carpeted flooring
Jack-knife doors at entrance and exit

Wide corridor for easy movement.

Stanchion bars for safe movement in the corridor (for Luxury
Buses)
Thermocole stuffing between inner and outer panelling to
reduce saloon temperature and dampen the vibrations.
LOW FLOOR BUSES 

 We have received demands from various section of the society, who
are
working for the welfare of physically 
handicapped, regarding need for introducing Low Floor buses in the city of Mumbai. In response to these
demands and suggestion, BEST has launched the trial run of Low Floor buses provided by TELCO 

MONTHLY BUS PASS SCHEME THROUGH-SMARTCARD (GO

Mumbai)

In a move to aid commuter convenience, and to mitigate its cash

handling pains, BEST, 'Mumbai's Lifeline' has adopted a new
alternative method of paying for bus fares. From 2nd January 2007,.
The multi-application card system is called "GO Mumbai" is made
available to the desired commuters. This card is issued as a bus pass.

Bus Pass Scheme:-

The scheme of Bus Passes was introduced in BEST Undertaking w.e.f. 2nd
January 2007. The Bus Passes are in form of Smart Card, which, is a plastic card
resembling to Debit/Credit Cards of Banks with a built in electronic chip that stores
information of validity period of the bus pass, the destinations of travel permitted on
the pass, value of the bus pass, and passenger’s Identity Card number.
Conductors working inside the buses / Inspectors posted for checking the
passenger tickets validate these bus passes with the help of a Hand Held Terminal
(HHT). These Smart Cards are contact less cards and can be validated by Bus
Conductors / Inspectors by simply holding these Smart Cards close to the HHT.
The screen on HHT displays the validity period of the pass, the permitted
destinations for travel on bus pass & the I-Card Number of the Pass Holder.
Passenger can charge (purchase / renew) these Smart Cards for different types of
passes at any of the convenient Service Delivery Points (SDP) located at various
important Bus Chowkies & Bus Depots in the City. At a time passenger can load
more than one type of bus pass on the same Smart Card as per his requirements.

 The entire activity of issuing / renewing bus passes (Smart Cards) is outsourced.

 Installation of P.C.O.s in BEST Buses :

The purpose of fitting P.C.O.s inside BEST buses was one of the
measures enlisted in the actions to be taken under Disaster so to
provide them means of communication. This will also yield Non
Operating Revenue to the Undertaking

 Installation of Vodafone Drop Boxes in BEST Buses :

   
M/s. Vodafone Ltd. have installed their Drop Boxes in BEST buses.
One drop box is installed per bus behind the drivers cabin area.
Vodafone customers drop their payment cheques in these boxes
and BEST gets Non Operating Revenue towards fixed rental
charges and cheques collection charges per bus every month. .

 Grab Handles on BEST Buses :

 

M/s. Admire Sign & Display Pvt. Ltd., a firm engaged in business of advertising has replaced the old grab
handles with those of international design and standard. These Grab Handles are patented product and
would be maintained by them. The space on grab handles will be sold by them as an advertisement space
at their cost and the revenue will be shared with BEST on a fixed income per bus per month basis

Facilities Provided
BEST believes that it has a social obligation towards the city where it has grown. As such it is felt
essential to provide concession to certain sections of society. A few schemes are listed below.
Free Travel Facility: Presently, the BEST provides free travel facility to the freedom fighters. One
person accompanying the freedom fighter is also permitted to travel free. Municipal Councilors and
Non-Councilor Members of the BEST Committee are also permitted to travel free on BEST buses.
Adhoc Members of Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, accompanied by his wife and
Female Members accompanied by any one viz. husband, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or
sister are allowed to travel free on BEST buses. Police personnel are allowed to travel free on BEST
buses against an ad-hoc payment of compensation towards free travel facility by the Government of
Maharashtra. This facility of free travel however is not available on Luxury and Air-Conditioned
services.

Concessional Fare: Children below 12 years of age are charged concessional fare. Student
studying upto Higher Secondary and upto the age of 22 years are charged concessional fare.
Persons who are 60 % and above, permanently Orthopaedically handicapped are charged
concessional fare. Blind persons are charged a flat fare of Re.1/- per journey. Concessional fare
facility is not available on Luxury and Air-Conditioned Services.

Reservation of Seats: The BEST has reserved 3 seats for

handicapped person , 2 seats for Senior Citizens and 6 seats for lady
passengers in the Single Decker buses. In the Double Decker buses it
has reserved 3 seats each for lady passengers and handicapped
persons and 2 seats for Senior Citizens.

Front Door Entry: The BEST have permitted physically and mentally

handicapped persons, senior citizens, and expectant mothers to board
the bus from the front door except at starting point.

Passenger Refund Claims: In case the conductor does not have

enough change to return the balance of the passenger, he writes on the
back of the ticket the amount of balance due and authenticates the
same. Such a ticket is treated as a receipt by the BEST. The passenger
can claim the balance amount from Ticket & Cash Department, head
office at Wadala after producing the ticket.

Disaster Management: In the event of disruption of rail services the BEST operates additional
buses in the area of disruption. Timely actions are taken with the help of our communication system.

Lost Property: The lost property section of the Transport Division is in existence prior to the
municipalisation of the BEST Undertaking in the year 1947. Initially the Lost Property section was at
Colaba Depot, Transport House and it was subsequently shifted to 2nd floor of Wadala Depot,
Administrative Building with effect from 01/02/1980. As per Act 132(4) of Bombay Motor Vehicle
Rules 1959 (New rule 122 of Maharshtra Motor Vehicles Rules 1989), the Lost Properties were
required to be handed over to the Police Department, However the BEST Undertaking has been
exempted from the provision of rule 132(4), and therefore all such articles are deposited in the Lost
Property Section of the Undertaking vide notification issued by Home Department No
MVR.1859/69814-XII date 07.10.1959. The working of the Lost Property Section is given below:

   
The articles found by the conductor or any other member of staff in the bus or in the premises of
the Undertaking are handed over to the nearest Bus Terminus Starter, who sent it to the
concerned Depot. These articles are then forwarded to the Lost Property Section. On receipt of
such articles from Depots to Lost Property Section the same are entered in the register
maintained for the purpose, after bifurcating them as per their category.
   
Whenever any claimant approaches immediately to the Bus terminus / Bus Chowkey where the
article is deposited, then the articles are issued to the claimant by the officer on duty after due
verification and taking necessary charges as per the administrative order.
   
  The particulars of charges to be recovered as per Administrative Order Number 304 dated
06/02/2003 from claimant are as under:
For Outside Parties For Employees
Registration Charges
For Cash and Sundry
Rs.10/- Rs.5/-
Articles
 For Valuable and Semi
Rs.50/- Rs.25/-
Valuable Articles
Storage charges are only applicable for cash deposited and collected only after 3 days from the date
of lost.

For Outside Parties For Employees

Storage Charges
For Cash Rs.3/- Per Day, Maximum
50% concession
Deposited Upto Rs.100/- Rs.10/-
For Cash Deposited From 12/% of the Cash and
50% concession
Rs.101/- to Rs.500/- Maximum of Rs.60/-
For Cash Deposited From 12/% of the Cash and
50% concession
Rs.501/- to Rs.2000/- Maximum of Rs.200/-
For Cash Deposited From 12/% of the Cash and
50% concession
Rs.2001/- to Rs.5000/- Maximum of Rs.300/-
For Cash Deposited above 12/% of the Cash and
50% concession
Rs.5001/- Maximum of Rs.750/-
   
Whenever any claimant approaches Lost Property Section at Wadala Depot, the articles are
issued only after confirming the Identity and genuineness of claimant on verification of residential
proof such as ration card, passport, election voting identity card or driving license of the
claimant. In case of higher amount or valuable ornaments, the claimant has to obtain No
Objection Certificate from concerned police authorities. After verification and receiving necessary
charges, articles are handed over to the claimant.
   
Traffic outdoor staff has been strictly prohibited from handing over any Lost Property articles
directly to the claimant. However, the concerned Traffic Officers can issue such articles at the
Depots after satisfying themselves as to the authenticity of the claimant and charging necessary
charges as applicable.
   
The cash or valuable articles (Gold or Silver Ornaments) received in the Lost Property Section is
kept in the section for one month, and there after deposited at the Undertaking Cash department
for safe custody. In case of foreign currency deposited in the Lost Property section the same is
deposited with our Cash Department at Dadar for further disposal.
   
Perishable articles such as vegetables, ready food etc is disposed off on the same day at the
depots by auction in the presence of Traffic Officers. The other perishable articles such as sugar,
tea powder, oil, and talcum powder etc are kept for 10 days in the Lost Property section and then
disposed off, by auction in the presence of officers, and auditor. Medicines are kept for one
month and then disposed off. Unclaimed lost property articles (Semi valuable, and sundry) are
sent to Oshiwara Scrap yard after one month for further disposal by way of auction.
   
A letter of appreciation is issued to the member of staff who deposits lost property articles. If the
value of the article deposited is Rs.2000/- or more then the concerned member of staff is
recommended for cash reward / appreciation letter to be given on BEST Din.

How to advertise on Shelter / Poles / Buses

 
The BEST has realised that in the changing economic scenario it is essential for it to look at commercial sources of
revenue. One of the major sources of commercial revenue is through advertisement, reservation of buses, and donation
schemes. The BEST has appointed sole agents for advertising on bus queue shelters, Street Light Poles, and buses.
They are as follows:

ADVERTISEMENT

Advertisement on Bus Queue Shelters:  The BEST bus queue shelters are made available for display of
advertisements on Bus Queue shelters. Sole Agencies have been appointed for the said purpose fro three zones as
given hereunder:-

Zone Name of Agency and address

Lot
M/s PRITHVI ASSOCIATES, 
14,PRABHADEVI INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, 
1ST FLOOR, OPP. SIDDHI VINAYAK TEMPLE,
I Eastern Suburbs
PRABHADEVI,MUMBAI - 400 025
Tel No. 56603114,56603115 
FAX NO 56608599.
M/s Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. 
The Times of India Building,
II Western Suburbs Dr. D.N.Road,Mumbai-400 001
Tel No. 22731041, 56354136
Fax No. 22731223
M/s Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. 
The Times of India Building,
III City Dr. D.N.Road,Mumbai-400 001
Tel No. 22731041, 56354136
Fax No. 22731223
X-X-X

First Finder Scheme for Hoardings 

B .E.S & T Undertaking has introduced a First Finder Scheme which whould be applicable in the premises of the
undertaking. 

The advertiser who intends to erect hoarding structure for display of advertisement thereon shall identify the location
and apply to the undertaking in the prescribed form in duplicate for award of said site. The contract period would be
three years. The applications received would be considered on "First Come First Basis". 

The prescribed form of offers in duplicate. Terms and Conditions and other details of the scheme can be obtained after
payment of Rs.100/- plus taxes from the office of Asst. General Manager (Civil). Electric House, 1st Floor, BEST Marg,
Colaba, Mumbai - 400 001. The duly filled form of offer in duplicate should be submitted in a sealed envelope after
payment of processing fees of Rs.750/- per site to the Asst. General Manager (Civil) at above mentioned address. 

Advertisement on Kiosks affixed to Street Lighting Poles:  The Street Lighting poles
erected by the BEST, are the prime spots for the advertisers, to promote their products.   
 
M/s PRITHVI ASSOCIATES, 
 14,PRABHADEVI  
INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, 
1ST FLOOR, OPP. SIDDHI VINAYAK TEMPLE, 
PRABHADEVI, MUMBAI - 400 025 
Tel No. 56603114,56603115 
FAX NO 56608599  

Advertisement on Buses : 2 The BEST buses, are also available for displaying the advertisements, both outside and
inside the buses.

For Advertising On Inside Panel of Buses

M/s Prithvi Associates.
14, Prabhadevi Industrial Estate,
Opp-Siddhivinayak Temple,
Prabhadevi, Mumbai.  Tel No 24603312.

For Advertising On Outside Panel  and Solus Buses

M/s Pioneer Publicity Corporation
113/114, Anjani Complex,
Peirera Hill Road,
Off- Andheri Kurla Road,
Andheri East, Mumbai.  Tel No 28325701/28213776.

Advertisement on Hoarding: All the prime locations in the BEST premises as Bus Depot, Bus Station are available to
the advertisers for displaying information about their products.The undertaking has appointed M/S In & Out Publicity as
Sole Agency for advertisement on 39 such sites, detailes of which can be obtained from M/s In & Out Publicity and their
address and phone nos. are as under: -  

M/s In & Out Publicity 

5,Ajay Shopping Center, 
T.H.Kataria Marg, Mumbai. 
Tel No 24301634, 24211634, 24373195, 24228529

Advertisement on facia board at Mahim Bus Station:

The Undertaking has appointed M/s Symbiosis Adevertising Pvt. Ltd. as Sole Agency for this purose and their address
and phone nos.are as under:

M/s Symbiosis Adertising Pvt Ltd.

4 New Neelam Machlimar ,
Opp Boristo Versova Road, 
Mumbai.
Tel No 26396235/7. 
  
Glow sign advertisement at Andheri(West) Bus Station:
The Undertaking has appointed M/s Accord Advertising Pvt. Ltd. as Sole Agency for this purpose and their address and
phone nos. are as under: 

M/s Accord Advetising Pvt Ltd.

101/102,Makani Center 35 Linking Road, 
Mumbai.
Tel No. 26485050,26485040 
 
For Advertising on Buses: For Advertisement on Air Conditioned Buses:
M/s Bright Outdoor Media Pvt. Ltd. M/s Topway Multitrade,
8th Floor, Crescent Tower, 201, Big Splash, Sector 17,
Near Morya House, Opp VIP Plaza, Vashi, Navi Mumbai 4000 703,
Off. New Link Road, Tel No. 27668425, 39121313
Andheri (West), Mumbai 400053
Tel. No. 6714 00 00 To 99
For Advertisement on Bus Seats: For Advertisement on CC TV:
M/s Tinta Media Creations, M/s EMNET Samsara Media Pvt. Ltd,
A-302, Rizvi House, Hill Road, 29, Chainis, KalaNagar,
Bandra (West), Mumbai 400050 Bandra (East), Mumbai 400051
Tel No. 26430627, 26430628 Tel No. 26591402, 26591410