09 September,2020 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B Aklekar
Amid COVID-19, the emphasis has been on making the journey cashless to avoid contact. File pic/ Satej Shinde
New and cool! At least 30 new bright red air-conditioned BEST buses have been spotted inside the Magathane bus depot near Borivli, giving hope that the Undertaking which will be scrapping 900 buses is procuring new ones simultaneously.
"Yes, the new buses are in and parked at Magathane bus depot. These are wet-lease buses. The process of their registration etc with the RTO is complete and they are now waiting for the installation of software linked with the Integrated Transport Management System (ITMS) software so that they can be formally inducted," a senior official said.
The BEST undertaking has been facing a crisis as more than 900 buses are in the process of being scrapped by next year. Experts have been saying that the BEST needs more buses amid the pandemic and that every attempt should be made to save the buses from being scrapped. Either the government should intervene and get blanket permission or the RTO should extend its fitness certificate, they said. However, BEST chairman Anil Patankar, assured mid-day that new buses will be procured soon.
900
No. of buses to be scrapped by next year
ALSO READ
Police swarm Georgia high school after it's placed on lockdown as students evacuated to stadium
Why more men are turning to crocheting
Alia Bhatt: I avoid giving parenting advice as everyone’s journey is different
Alpha Beta Gamma – The Relationship Story Of The Year
Delhi: Ghost patients scam unravels at Mohalla clinics
Also Read: Mumbai: Will BEST convert scrapped buses into public toilets?
The auto driver fled from the spot without getting treatment
A collision between a BEST bus and an autorickshaw injured two on Monday when bus number 398 was going to Mulund Check Naka from Dindoshi depot, BEST spokesperson Manoj Varade said. "The auto rammed into the left corner of the bus around 2.50 pm and toppled near Mulund depot. Two passengers in the auto received minor injuries and were treated at MT Agarwal Hospital. The auto driver refused treatment and fled. The passengers alerted sub-inspector Chetan Bagul of Mulund police station but did not file a complaint,"
Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.
Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news
