BEST launches online facility for bus passes….Somit Sen
MUMBAI: BEST on Thursday launched an online system through which a commuter can buy bus passes (smartcards).
A passenger no longer has to stand in queue at a bus depot to buy his monthly or quarterly pass. All he has to do is log on to www.bestundertaking.com and register for a new smartcard. However, initially, he will have to collect the passes from the depot after making an application online. “They can fill in the details, send a scanned photograph (for an ID) and make the payment online,” said BEST general manager Om Prakash Gupta. “For the first few days, we request the applicants to go to the nearest bus depot to collect the passes. Shortly, we will tie up with the postal department so that the smartcards reach a commuters’ doorsteps by speed post.” The applicant will have to pay additional charges for the postal service. By the end of the month, passengers can also renew their smartcards on buses. “Online renewal will be started in the next few days,” Gupta said.
The online system is aimed at reducing inconvenience for passengers who have to visit bus depots twice to get smartcards. “So far, a commuter had to first stand in a long queue to submit his form and get a photograph clicked. He again had to come back to collect the pass,” the BEST general manager said.
Welcoming the move, passengers feel it is more convenient to book a bus pass from an internet-enabled mobile than stand in a queue. “I can just attach my picture to the form and make the payment through net-banking,” said Ankit Vora, a south Mumbai resident. At present, smartcards are being issued at 90 window counters at 64 BEST centres across Mumbai.
A senior BEST official said the transport body was introducing more online interactive facilities for passengers. “We are upgrading our website and passengers can soon send us regular feedback and suggestions through it,” he said. Passengers can also contact BEST on its toll-free helpline 1800-22-7550.The official said that there have been complaints of printing mistakes on the electronic tickets issued by conductors. “We are looking into the problem and will rectify it by the month end,” he assured. Conductors will now carry a three-in-one Trimax machine, which will issue electronic tickets, scan smartcards and renew them on board.
A student availing of special bus services from school to home (point to point) will have to buy a biannual pass that will be valid from June 1 to November 30. They will have to renew it on December 1 for another six months, till May 30. The administrative fee charged (Rs 5 per month) will be for five months. The six-monthly fare will be Rs 600 for the first 10 km within the city limits, Rs 1,100 for more than 10 km within the BMC limits, Rs 1,250 for less than 10 km but outside the BMC limits, and Rs 1,750 for more than 10 km and outside the city limits.