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.

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 made available to the desired commuters. The RF-ID based card is issued to commuters on demand 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 Rf-ID based 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, and type of pass. Conductors working inside the buses validate these bus passes with the help of a ETIM. These Smart Cards are contact less cards and can be validated by Bus Conductors / Inspectors by simply holding these Smart Cards close to the ETIM. The screen on ETIM displays the validity period of the pass, the permitted origin and destinations for travel on bus pass. Passenger can register / renew these Smart Cards at any of the convenient Point Of Sale (PoS) located at various important Bus Chowkies & Bus Depots in the City. At a time passenger can load maximum 2 type of bus pass on the same Smart Card as per his requirements. Passengers can also apply for new or renew the RF-ID based Smart Cards through Internet.

Use of Electronic Ticket Issuing Machines (ETIM):

In the year 2011, the BEST Undertaking has introduced ETIM’s on all the buses for   issuing tickets.  It has replaced the  conventional Ticket issuing mechanism with e-Tickets through Electronic Ticket Issuing Machine (ETIM)

The Mechanism

• Every Bus Conductor is carrying an ETIM for issuing tickets on-board.

• These ETIMs are also capable of Validating, and Renewing the RF-ID based pre-paid Smart Cards.

• RF-ID card based pre-paid Smart Cards are issued to the commuters through 64 web based Points of Sales equipped with 90 Counters.

 Passenger Information System:

 The BEST Undertaking is installing Passenger Information System in all the buses. Under this system the next bus stop name shall be announced in advance, so as to enable the passengers to get ready for alighting at the desired location.

 Installation of Surveillance System:

 The BEST Undertaking is installing Surveillance System in all the buses. This system includes Closed Circuit TV cameras at front and rear exit for recording the happenings. Also LCD Screens will be fitted inside the buses for broadcasting helpful information to the travelling public.