The BEST undertaking is on the verge of a turnaround. With a slow, steady, yet assured delivery schedule of around 100 buses per month from various manufacturers as per the revised timeline, the undertaking is gradually regaining its foothold among commuters. Targeting shared autos and last-mile connectivity, BEST is also working to optimise its services and is planning to experiment with dynamic fares.

“We should be able to raise or lower fares based on changing conditions. We are working on it. An elaborate plan has been prepared to pull BEST out of its loss-making phase and restore it to its former glory. For the first time, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis personally held a review meeting solely focused on the undertaking. That shows the seriousness of the government,” said BEST GM SVR Srinivas. “The BMC has been asked to provide a fixed annual capex funding to keep the works going,” he added.

The BEST bus that will run on Route No.1