This space has often concentrated on the tremendous losses faced by the BEST. We have written about how the Undertaking had to cut fares to increase the number of passengers.
BEST staff wait at the Dharavi depot in October. File pic
They have a free ride, but one the BEST can hardly afford. Mumbaikars are travelling for free in conductor-less buses, a report stated in this paper.
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A Twitter user posted that he boarded a bus at Churchgate towards Cuffe Parade but there was no conductor at the bus stop, or inside the bus. The driver’s answer cited in the report is shocking. When asked for a ticket by a commuter, he said that everybody is travelling for free and you do so too, professing his helplessness.
This space has often concentrated on the tremendous losses faced by the BEST. We have written about how the Undertaking had to cut fares to increase the number of passengers.
BEST buses were also the saviour for commuters in the rains, and were also vital in commuting during these Covid-hit times. The overall sentiment was that the disappearance of buses will leave a significant void, as the big, red bus was symbolic of Mumbai.
The service did assure that they will take cognisance of this ticketless travel and all loopholes will be plugged soon, but with losses, the BEST simply cannot afford to wait. This problem must be addressed immediately.
Meanwhile, commuters need to find their conscience and simply because there are no checks. cannot travel for free. The BEST has to see that there is simply nowhere or no way to purchase a ticket at times and this is unacceptable. Commuters must buy tickets when the designated ticket places are open.
Ticketless travel happens often in trains, and now in buses. Why do we need to be monitored and checked all the time so that rules are followed? Buy a ticket, whether there is a checking mechanism or not, as that is the legit way to travel.
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