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